What display of
flags policy aboutAt our Aug, 7 meeting, the Mount Vernon City Council will take up discussion on a proposed Display of Flags Policy “…to establish guidelines for the flying of commemorative, special occasion and other ceremonial flags at City of Mount Vernon owned properties.” Further, that the flags displayed “…express the views, values and goals of the City as determined by the City Council.”
The proposed flags would commemorate:
• Black History Month
• Women’s History Month
• Arab American Heritage Month
• Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• Mental Health Awareness Month
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
• Juneteenth
• Hispanic Heritage Month
• National Disability Employment Awareness Month
• Native American Heritage Month
• National Veterans and Military Families Month
Additionally, flags may be flown to recognize federal or state holidays, to commemorate any period recognized by local proclamation or to accompany any official action or ceremony of the City.
Recently, the City adopted a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion policy and the mayor made a proclamation recognizing June as Pride Month. At subsequent meetings we’ve had attendees at city council meetings speak both in favor of and against both actions. The homophobia laid bare shouldn’t have been but was a shock to me. Many of the arguments presented, with but a few words changed, have been shouted at African Americans, Asian Americans, Women, Hispanics, anyone perceived as different, throughout our country’s history.
You can dress up hate speech in all sorts of ways; by pointing to the bible, in the name of protecting the children or as a longing for the good ol’ days. But hate speech is still hate regardless of the frame you put it in, and it has no place in our community. If the adoption of this policy and subsequent flying of a flag on city property signals acceptance and love to any of the marginalized both in and outside our community then it is exactly what I believe one of the “…values and goals of the City…” ought to be.
Scott Rose
Mount Vernon City Council Member
Be mindful of
mis/disinformation from teachersIn the July 20th edition of the MV-L Sun, a MVHS teacher made allegations about the group Moms for Liberty. I question the validity of these claims and challenge her to answer the following questions using reliable sources (government or educational institutions), such as the DOJ.
The SPLC (hate-group-map/list), I presume is where she got her information from, isn’t a reliable source in recent years (if they ever were). “Cornell Law professor William Jacobson told Politico that he believes the SPLC is dishonestly using the “hate group” label to shut down debate”…and… “bludgeon mainstream politically conservative opponents.”
Where is the proof Moms for Liberty are “fear-mongers” or promote “un-truths?”
Where can we find evidence “Parental Rights” is code for the things she claimed?
Does one chapter (of 300+ chapters nationwide) quoting Hitler (not Mao or Stalin) make Moms for Liberty an “extremist, far-right organization?” This quote was taken out of context and retracted, as the Associated Press noted.
Is there any evidence Moms for Liberty associates with the Proud Boys and Three Percenters?
Since when do white nationalist groups accept those of color? The Proud Boys have members of various races from what I noticed when researching her allegations? I’ve never seen a person of color at a KKK or Neo-Nazi rally in photos. Since I despise white nationalists I don’t know what their membership requirements are.Moms for Liberty supports Parental Rights, and are not associated with “white nationalism” or “armed conflict” as claimed.
Unfortunately, limited to 250-words…
Greg Papin
Mount Vernon