Pride Flag Taken Down From NY Town Hall After Board Vote

The Webster Town Board approved the measure by a 3-2 vote during a contentious Thursday night meeting, scheduling the flag’s removal for Friday morning at 9 a.m. The Rochester suburb, home to approximately 45,000 residents, saw the Pride flag lowered from the pole it shared with the American flag as roughly a dozen protesters gathered to voice their objections.

Councilmember John Cahill introduced the measure mandating that only the American flag and state flag be displayed on town properties. The proposal sparked divided reactions among Webster residents who attended the meeting to weigh in on the controversy.

Resident Laurie Read defended the board’s decision, arguing that government property should only display government flags to maintain neutrality. Read stated that restricting flags to the U.S. flag, state flag, and municipal flag avoids political or social favoritism and respects public property as shared civic space.

Wanda Moore, another Webster resident, expressed opposition to the removal. She contended that the community includes many people not considered part of the norm, and flying the Pride flag demonstrates the town’s support for their lives and choices.

Town Supervisor Alex Scialdone had issued a statement Monday defending his decision to raise the Pride flag, claiming it was not a political statement or intended to make anyone uncomfortable. Scialdone wrote that the flag was meant for community members who have wondered whether the town sees them, declaring that Webster does see them.

Following Friday’s flag removal, Scialdone released another statement expressing disappointment with the board’s vote. He maintained that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and accepted for who they are.

The Pride flag had been raised on Monday, marking the first time Webster displayed the symbol on town property before the board’s swift reversal just days later.

With information from Breitbart News