PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — For the first time, Philadelphia officials have developed guidelines for raising flags at City Hall. The new rules were prompted by the increasing popularity of flag-raising events.
As flag-raisings went from one or two a year to several per month, Philadelphia embraced them as a way to honor the city’s diversity.
Immigrants and descendants from more than 40 countries have gathered on the north side of City Hall in just the last few years, to celebrate symbols of their heritage.
But Amy Eusebio, executive director of the Office of Immigrant Affairs, said it has also created challenges when groups sought to raise flags that aren’t officially connected to a sovereign state.
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“We realized we need to develop clearer guidance as to who is eligible for a flag-raising, what you get when you have a flag-raising, and what options exist if a flag-raising is not an option for your community,” explained Eusebio.
The new rules said the flags have to be recognized by the State Department. They hit their first test when Belarusians asked to raise the red and white former flag. That was officially replaced by the current authoritarian, Russian-allied government. The red and white flag is now a symbol of opposition.
The city nixed raising the flag under the new guidelines. Councilmember David Oh, a frequent flag-raising sponsor, is not happy. He introduced a bill this week giving Council the final say.
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“When we as a body pass a resolution, that shall take precedence,” said Oh.
Eusebio said she’s looking forward to working with Oh and other stakeholders to finalize the new guidelines.
There is a separate set of rules for special flags such as for Juneteenth or Pride.