Leftist Councilwoman Asks FDNY To Remove Flag Honoring 9/11 Heroes
A New York City fire-fighting company was temporarily forced to remove a flag honoring men lost on 9/11 from their truck, according to a report from DailyMail.
A leftist councilwoman named Carlina Rivera told the fire department she received multiple complaints about the “political” flag. One man reportedly dubbed the flag a “fascist symbol.”
The flag in question is a black and white American flag with a red stripe through it, similar to the “Back the Blue” flag symbolizing solidarity with police officers and law enforcement. The flag symbolizes those who lost their lives in the line of duty, including those who lost their lives rescuing Americans following the collapse of the Twin Towers in 2001.
Ladder Company 11 displayed the flag on the back of its truck to commemorate the lost lives of a lieutenant and five firefighters who lost their lives in the 9/11 terror attack. The FDNY received an email from Lisander Rosario, a staffer for the councilwoman, asking whether the flag violated rules about displaying political symbols.
“Political symbols aren’t permitted to be displayed on public vehicles,” Rosario reportedly said in an email. “I’m reaching out on behalf of a constituent of ours regarding a thin blue/red line flag on Ladder 11 last week.”
FDNY Deputy Chief Joseph Schiralli reportedly informed Ladder Company 11 that the department banned “altered” versions of the American flag and that the company would need to remove the flag. The rule stems from a 2020 ruling from then-Commissioner Daniel Nigro, who insisted that no altered versions of the flag could be flown during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement.
Now-Commissioner Laura Kavanagh ultimately reversed the decision to remove the flag.
One of the company’s firefighters told DailyMail, “We’re happy with the outcome of this, but we’re offended it happened in the first place.”
