NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Gov. Kathy Hochul on Tuesday signed a new law banning police agencies, fire department and other municipal corporations from selling or displaying the Confederate flag and other symbols of hate.
“Symbols of hate have no use other than to spread ignorance and incite violence. As New Yorkers, we must remain united and actively fight to eradicate these attitudes, and this legislation bolsters those efforts,” the governor said.
The legislation was introduced following a pair of incidents on Long Island last year, in which a Confederate flag was displayed on a firetruck during a parade, and another was seen in the window of a Nassau County fire department.
Two firefighters resigned from the department following the incident during the parade.
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“The recent and disgusting rise in racist, homophobic, and hateful behavior will never be tolerated in New York,” Hochul said. “There is no reason for a symbol of hate to ever be on display, let alone by a police or fire department charged with protecting their community.”
The law is patterned off and extends similar legislation signed in 2020 which bans any symbols of hate from being displayed on state property.
Hate symbols include, but are not limited to, symbols of White supremacy, neo-Nazi ideology or the Confederate battle flag.
“With this law now signed, we aren't only doing away with this deplorable behavior, but also ensuring that every New Yorker, no matter their background or identity, feels welcome in their community,” the governor said.