The Barrington United Veterans Council will hold a rally to protest the town's decision to fly "private/political" flags on the town hall flag pole above the veterans memorial.

The rally will be held in front of the Barrington Town Hall on Monday, Oct. 5 from 5 to 6 p.m., just prior to the Barrington Town Council's regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

"We the members of the United Veterans Council believe that no private or political flag or banner should be flown under the United States flag on town property," the group stated in a recent press release. "The only exceptions would be the state flag, the town flag and/or the POW/MIA flag, which has congressional approval."

Members of the Barrington UVC have petitioned the town leadership to reserve the town hall flag pole for the U.S. flag, state flag and/or the POW/MIA flag, following the council's decision to fly the Pride flag on the pole for the month of June.

The debate intensified recently when the town manager, Jim Cunha, took it upon himself to hoist the Black Lives Matter flag on the town's flag pole. And during their recent meeting, members of the Barrington Town Council voiced their support for Mr. Cunha's decision.

Also at that meeting, the Barrington United Veterans Council asked the council to pass a flag-flying ordinance similar to ones passed in Bristol and Warren, which would restrict which flags could fly on the town's flag pole. The council did not support that request, and a proposal offered by one of its members, Jacob Brier, called for the Black Lives Matter flag to remain flying until February, when the town would fly the Pan-African flag on the town hall flag pole. Mr. Brier is still crafting his flag-flying policy proposal.

Members of the Barrington United Veterans Council, after being rebuffed by the town council, announced they would likely be shifting their Veterans Day ceremony away from the veterans memorial. Barrington UVC President Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Paul Dulchinos said the group would probably hold the event at Victory Gates outside Barrington High School.

Late last week, the UVC announced its decision to hold a rally in front of the town hall.

Lt. Col. Dulchinos will be the only speaker at the rally, stated a press release.

Additional flag pole?

Lt. Col. Dulchinos said the Barrington UVC would support the construction of an additional flag pole in a different location outside the town hall, which would be used to fly whichever flags the town council deems appropriate.

Members of the council, during their September meeting, stopped short of discussing the proposal. Meanwhile, Mr. Brier told Lt. Col. Dulchinos that not all people in Barrington feel like the American flag represents them.