Council candidates differ on location of Black Lives Matter flag

Some say it is time for council to draft a policy

Posted 10/1/20

Candidates for Barrington Town Council shared their opinions regarding the location of the Black Lives Matter flag on the town hall flag pole in Barrington.

In the first installment of the …

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Council candidates differ on location of Black Lives Matter flag

Some say it is time for council to draft a policy

Posted

Candidates for Barrington Town Council shared their opinions regarding the location of the Black Lives Matter flag on the town hall flag pole in Barrington.

In the first installment of the "Council Question of the Week," candidates offered their responses to this: "Do you support flying the Black Lives Matter flag on the flag pole located at the veterans memorial in town?"

• John Alessandro (I): "I believe, with a solid flag policy, we can make most people happy. My view is that the US flag unites us and reminds us to come together as one. The Veterans’ council should control the flags at the monument and the town can erect a flagpole for all others."

• Annelise Conway (D): "While I fully support both the Black Lives Matter and Pride movements, I believe it’s important to enact a flag policy that represents all citizens. Debates about flag requests slow down other policies that can accomplish more for our community including establishing a DEI committee or expanding access to housing."

• Rob Humm (D): "I support Black Lives Matter’s advocacy for equality and against discrimination, but the Town should show its support in other ways, rather than flying the flag on the veterans’ memorial flagpole. What should or should not go on a flagpole has become too politicized and divisive, to our community’s detriment." 

• Carl Kustell (D): "Our Declaration of Independence and Constitution establish equality as a foundational American value. Raised by thirty-year Navy veteran on the same flagpole where the POW, Pride and Armenian flags have flown, the BLM flag reaffirms our commitment to equality and the value of black lives. That’s quintessentially American."

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