Massachusetts Town Approves Proposal To Fly Palestine Flag
OAN’s James Meyers
1:56 PM – Wednesday, November 15, 2023
A Massachusetts town has approved flying the Palestine flag for a month amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
The Palestine flag was proudly raised on Tuesday after the Democrat-led town of North Andover approved it following a heated town hall meeting the previous night.
Passionate pro-Palestine supporters have been advocating for weeks in the town, arguing that it is only fair for the Palestine flag to be raised in response to the Israel flag that was hoisted after the Hamas terror attacks on October 7th.
The Israel flag had been flown from October 7th to November 9th. On October 16th, student Selma Khayal called for the Palestine flag to be flown from November 7th until December 7th.
She made the request just six hours before the small town updated its flag-flying policies.
The previous policy allowed anyone to petition for a flag to be flown after approval by the Select Board, effectively turning the flagpole into a public forum.
However, with the new policy, flags flown in the town will be limited to “statements of governmental speech only,” in accordance with the unanimous Supreme Court ruling in Shurtleff v. Boston.
The town voted unanimously, with a 9-0 vote, in favor of Khayal’s request.
“It is the policy of North Andover (Town) that its flag poles located at the Town Common are not intended to serve as a forum for free expression by the public, but rather as expressions of the Town’s official sentiments,” the updated policy reads.
Since Khayal’s request was made before the policy change, the board treated it under the old policy and allowed it to be discussed at a Select Board Meeting.
During the meeting, multiple people were escorted out of North Andover High School after shouting at attendees.
The meeting, originally scheduled for November 6th, was postponed due to threats of litigation and public safety concerns.
Local police have also been called multiple times to the Town Common since the flag was raised.
The Department of Public Works had to secure the flag by tying a knot at the top of the rope to prevent it from being taken down.
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What does the approval of flying the flag signify in terms of freedom of expression and recognition of diverse perspectives within the community?
Tuned as we bring you more updates on this ongoing situation.
In the meantime, the flag of Palestine will continue to fly over the town common in North Andover for the approved duration of one month. The decision to raise the flag has sparked both support and opposition from the community, with passionate pro-Palestine supporters advocating for their cause and others expressing concern over the potential political implications.
It is important to note that this action by the town of North Andover is not an endorsement of any particular political stance, but rather an exercise of its freedom of expression and a recognition of the diverse perspectives within its community. The town has made it clear that its flagpoles are intended to be expressions of the official sentiments of the town, rather than a public forum for free expression.
This decision also highlights the importance of understanding and engaging in respectful dialogue when discussing complex political issues such as the Israel-Hamas conflict. It is crucial for communities to find ways to peacefully address and express their differing viewpoints without resorting to hostility or violence.
As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how this flag-raising initiative in North Andover could potentially inspire similar actions in other towns and cities. It is also essential to continue following the developments in the Israel-Hamas conflict and to support meaningful efforts towards a peaceful resolution.
In conclusion, the approval of flying the Palestine flag for a month in North Andover is a testament to the democratic values of free expression and the recognition of diverse perspectives within a community. While this decision has sparked controversy and debate, it also presents an opportunity for constructive dialogue and understanding. The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict remains a complex issue with no easy solutions, and it is essential for communities to find peaceful and respectful ways to navigate and engage with these challenging topics.
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