Bill No. 220244: Urge City Council to allow immigrant communities to raise their own flags

Bill No. 220244: Urge City Council to allow immigrant communities to raise their own flags

Started
January 31, 2023
Signatures: 1,546Next Goal: 2,500
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Why this petition matters

On Friday, February 3rd at 10:00 a.m., the Philadelphia City Council Committee on Commerce and Economic Development will hold a virtual public hearing.

This hearing will discuss Bill No. 220244, introduced by Councilman At-Large David Oh. The purpose of this legislation is to establish uniform standards for flag raising ceremonies. 

In 2023, the Vietnamese and Belarusian communities will be denied the ability to hold a flag raising ceremony of their freedom/heritage flags.

This is due to a new policy change by the Administration which states that the City of Philadelphia will only raise flags recognized by the United States Department of State. 

However, the state-sponsored Vietnamese and Belarusian flags represent oppressive, authoritarian governments. Therefore, these communities raise their heritage/freedom flags which symbolize the unifying values shared by all Americans, such as democracy, liberty and freedom. Moreover, these flags have been recognized by several state and local governments.

In response to the Administration’s new policy change to only authorize flag raisings of state-sponsored flags, Councilman At-Large David Oh introduced Bill No. 220244 which would allow City Council to authorize, by resolution, the display of ceremonial flags on city flag poles as an expression of the City’s official sentiments.

A copy of the legislation can be viewed here

Please sign this petition to urge City Council to pass this Bill and allow these immigrant communities to proudly raise their flags in the City of Philadelphia.

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Signatures: 1,546Next Goal: 2,500
Support now
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