San Rafael Mayor Gary Phillips told the City Council during a meeting Monday morning that he's taking a stand against gun violence. Phillips ordered all American flags on city property be flown at half-staff until Congress makes changes in gun laws.
“Keeping the flag in this lowered position will symbolize our frustration and dissatisfaction with the lack of action by Congress,” Phillips said.
Following the deadly mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, President Trump ordered U.S. flags be lowered to honor the dozens of casualties. Cities across the country have followed suit and lowered flags at public buildings.
Phillips is taking the measure a step further. He says he wants to see “significant progress by Congress on this issue." Adding, “But I am saying that to do nothing is not acceptable to San Rafael."
Trump has pointed to mental illness and video games as explanations behind mass shootings and encouraged bipartisan answers such as “strong background checks” for gun users.