We all have watched the images of the violent mob breaching the US Capitol Building, disrupting our constitutional process, threatening the lives of our elected officials and murdering a capitol police officer. In those images, we see a number of white supremacy flags including the "thin blue line" flag, all waving prominently in the crowd.
The "thin blue line" flag is now flying beneath the American flag, outside the Madison County Sheriff's Office. It has also been present at Madison County Board of Supervisors meetings. No matter what this flag originally represented, it is now, and will forever be, part of one of the worst days in our country's history. This flag is now a symbol of racism, insurrection and lawlessness. People holding this flag attacked police officers on that day. Yes, it is true that the mob also carried our American flag. That was incredibly disrespectful. The American flag represents the highest ideals of our democracy not sedition, hate or white supremacy. The red white and blue is a symbol that seeks to unite us, not divide us. The "thin blue line" flag has become an undeniable symbol of division and in many ways is the opposite of what the American flag represents.
We, citizens of Madison County, request that the Board of Supervisors immediately instruct the Madison County Sheriff to remove this symbol of division from the flagpole outside the Madison County Jail and Sheriff's Office, and that it be removed from any other building or meeting in the county. It has no place in or outside of any public building in Madison County.
Update #23 years ago
It has come to my attention that on the agenda for the Board of Supervisors meeting this Tuesday, 2/9/2021, there is a resolution to permit the Madison County Sheriff's Department to continue to fly the "Thin Blue Line Flag" at the Madison County building complex in Wampsville. Pls email your town supervisor today or tomorrow with a cc to: publiccomment@madisoncounty.ny.gov and voice your opinion! We are also delivering our petition to the Board. Thank you for signing!
Update #13 years ago
Madison Co Board of Supervisors have responded to the letter sent to them by the Hamilton Area Anti-Racism Coalition. They say "Enough is enough! This demand from the HAARC is insulting to the brave men & women throughout our county who do their jobs every day." " If HAARC believes they are right on this issue, it can be settled in a court of law, where rash, law abiding citizens settle their disputes." "The flag stays". Their response is dismissive and arrogant. Please share this petition!
