Get the latest BPR news delivered free to your inbox daily. SIGN UP HERE.
In the run-up to the July 4 holiday in which the country celebrates the stars and stripes and the freedoms that it represents, the state of Virginia told a construction contractor to remove a large American flag that was unfurled from the scaffolding at a downtown Richmond construction site
The order was issued out of concerns that the flag could trigger protesters and pose a safety risk to workers.
In a dispiriting environment where merely displaying the U.S. banner has become controversial, a smaller flag would have apparently been okay with government officials, however.
Ironically, the site in question reportedly consists of a $300 million project that is set to become the home of the Virginia legislature in the state capitol, i.e., where laws are enacted under Virginia’s constitution and the U.S. Constitution.
A spokeswoman with the state’s Department of General Services told the Washington Post that “Over the past month we’ve seen buildings and structures around Capitol Square vandalized and flags, dumpsters, a bus and other items set ablaze during demonstrations around the city. When we saw the flag, we were concerned that it could become a target so we told the contractor to remove it.”
The official added that “the state has had no objections to the standard-sized flag still flying over high above the project on a crane. But she said the larger one, which hung just a few stories up from the ground, would have been easier to reach.”
She also praised the general contractor for promptly taking down the flag, noting that “the safety of the workers on the job and the public is our No. 1 concern, but we also did not want to see the flag damaged in any way.”
A man who purports to work for the subcontractor that fashioned the full-story Old Glory expressed his displeasure on Facebook with the state’s decision after the first apparently getting the green light from the general contractor.
“Early on it got great reviews by all, and thank you to the GC for allowing us to do it… BUT the GC got a call and we now have to remove it. It seems the ‘State’ deems it a target this weekend for protestors. Since when is this flag, on this weekend, IN THIS COUNTRY, a Target!! Let me guess, if I had a black lives matter flag it would be ‘ok’!? “F” you & your feelings.
“Look, Mr. Governor, Mr. Mayor, or whoever made the call, stop letting the inmates run the asylum! This goes for [politicians] ‘that work for us’, on both sides of the aisle! Grow a pair, and stop thinking everything we have or had in this once great state is offensive. The American Flag is a symbol of Freedom! Many men and women died to maintain this freedom, many more fought and still fight to keep this freedom, and you make us remove it?’
The writer underscored that he supports free speech rights implicit in the flag and, by extension, the U.S. Constitution.
“I’m all for the freedoms and liberty’s we have in this country, Protest, sure. Take a knee during the national anthem, whatever floats your boat. Marry who you want, absolutely! That’s what this flag represents! It’s bullshit that you made us take it down, but don’t forget, your actions have consequences too! You will now see this flag hanging at the Lake and I promise you it will NOT be removed! Happy Birthday America!”
Many Twitter users seem to be on the same page as the subcontract worker.
Is this is nothing short of ridiculous. When does stupidity and placating people go too far? We can’t even honor the flag on July 4th?
— Tina (@tmwtinatmw) July 4, 2020
Would not expect anything less from our Virginia state officials.
— Jenny Harris (@harriskidsmommy) July 4, 2020
Ashamed of our state administration.
— Pounch (@Mas_hoc) July 4, 2020
If this story is true, it is nothing but a chicken shit request. Ridiculous to be asked to take down an American flag in a city in the United States. Glad the subcontractor got angry.
— RebC (@drdork2011) July 4, 2020
This State gets more abnormal every day. Making someone remove an American flag
— Donna Romano (@dfromano) July 5, 2020
Can’t wait to see house & senate turn to republican…. Libertarian would be better but I’ll settle for republican… Come November. Then we need to impeach Northam!
— Rebecca (Becci) Dougherty (@crzy4horses) July 5, 2020
Which state officials? Name them. I cannot believe this is happening in this country on Fourth of July. Shameful. God Bless America and God Bless the President!
— nunya (@nunya88046453) July 4, 2020
That is absolutely ridiculous—anti-American!!! Wrong in soooo many levels!!! It’s an outrage that we live in AMERICA and people are offended by this country’s flag!!! LEAVE@and live somewhere else
— Jackie Avery (@jakigirl777) July 5, 2020
If Virginians vote Democrat in their next election, it proves they don’t care about America or freedom and they’ll get what they deserve. I live 2,500 miles away and I’m starting to see lots of Virginia plates. Gonna be the latest shithole blue state that everyone flees from.
— JT1616 (@JT16161) July 5, 2020
final straw…gov moondance, the closet racist that has strings pulled to keep his arse in office, this should be notice he needs to resign. i am dem and vet, this is it. dnc, don’t expect my vote.
— datart (@datart) July 5, 2020
As several Twitter users have alluded, in November 2019, Democrats took control of both houses of the state legislature for the first time in more than 20 years. Gov. Ralph Northam, who avoided an otherwise career-ending yearbook photo scandal, has been busy rubber-stamping bills of all kinds that advance the left’s agenda.
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
[email protected]
Robert Jonathan is a staff writer for BizPac Review. He is a longtime writer/editor for news aggregation websites and has also developed content in the legal and financial publishing sectors as well as for online education. He earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Connecticut School of Law, “a law school the basketball teams can be proud of.”
- ‘Petty heffa’: The View’s Ana Navarro skewered for cracking on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s appearance - December 4, 2022
- Women’s college volleyball game features incredible rally complete with diving, table-crashing safe - December 4, 2022
- Wild brawl breaks out at Fitness Connection gym, takes deciding turn when woman enters picture - December 4, 2022
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
BPR INSIDER COMMENTS
Scroll down for non-member comments or join our insider conversations by becoming a member. We'd love to have you!
