Here’s what Boston.com readers think of the movement to remove ‘thin blue line’ flags
“So much for free speech, guess it depends on who is doing the speaking."
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In Danvers, ‘thin blue line’ flags will no longer fly from fire trucks
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THIN BLUE LINE
After complaint, Hingham chiefs opt to remove ‘thin blue line’ flags from fire trucks, igniting controversy
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‘Thin blue line’ flags on fire trucks across Massachusetts meet support, opposition after Hingham controversy
The “thin blue line” flag has “long been an important symbol of support and solidarity for members of public safety departments and their families,” according to Danvers Town Administrator Steve Bartha — but that didn’t stop him from ordering their removal from town fire apparatus this week.
While the “thin blue line” has been used to celebrate law enforcement in the United States for decades, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and its calls to end police brutality against people of color, it’s taken on a different meaning for some. In particular, activists point out that it’s been co-opted by white supremacists over the past several years, turning it into a more divisive symbol than it had been previously.
Hence, the push to have the flag removed from public places. The move in Danvers followed a similar action in Hingham in July that resulted in no small amount of controversy, and Somerville issued its own order to remove the flags earlier this month.
As far as Boston.com readers go, based on our survey results, they’re squarely in support of the flags. With more than 1,600 responses as of Wednesday morning, 69% say fire departments should be allowed to continue to fly the flags on their apparatus, with the remaining 31% in opposition.
Here are some opinions readers shared on the issue:
Pro:
“We have to fight back and say no to these people. It will only get worse if we keep caving to their demands. Next flying an American flag in our own yard will be offensive to them.” — Tim, Stoneham
“What’s next, ban meat products being sold in Danvers because it offends vegans?” — Mike, Malden
“The ‘thin blue line’ represents the separation of chaos from order. The reasoning above for its removal can apply equally to the American flag. Will we be removing that?” — Anonymous
“I, with many other silent but angry voters, stand in support of our first responders and support the blue line flag. It’s time to vote out individuals who are against the safety of their tax-paying citizens and pander to the left as though they care about social justice at all. They should be ashamed of themselves. Defend the police!” — Former Swampscott resident
“First of all, it’s not a ‘pro-police’ flag as you put it in your poll question. That term makes it political. The thin blue line has been around for decades and shows support for fallen and injured law enforcement officers. It is not a ‘blue lives matter’ flag. Just because somebody or some group hijacked the symbol, does not change the original intent and correct meaning of this decades-old symbol. And to think or imply otherwise is to be severely mistaken.” — Dave, Auburn
“So much for free speech, guess it depends on who is doing the speaking. Not the America I grew up in.” — Anonymous
“The floodlight of social justice zealots is inconsistent in what it illuminates — sometimes, as in the case of the Breonna Taylor no-knock warrant and horrific shooting, that hard light and laser focus has complete justification. Unfortunately often these days, the need for ‘virtue signaling’ and sympathetic-false protest turns a low-watt bulb on the incredibly trivial, just to broadcast that the protest movement ‘remains alive’ in caucasian enclaves of the South Shore.
“The pathetic complaints about blue-line flags serve to undermine, through its painful idiocy, the broad swathe of multi-racial support and consensus that Black Lives Matter is attempting to build. To remove a memorial flag that honors a citizen-hero killed in the line of duty IN THE PROTECTION OF ALL RACES only serves to close the ears and harden the hearts of those folks who might have developed sympathy for BLM, who might have become greater advocates and allies through cogent debate and clear example.” — Anonymous, Hingham
“If they view the ‘blue line’ flags as political then every single Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ, and rainbow flag better be removed from every state and local property as it certainly ‘offends’ some as well.” — Cory, Billerica
“A couple of people whine and you take down flags that support the police. Glad I live in Quincy, where our mayor supports the police.” — Brian, Quincy
“The police and fire and other emergency response teams in our communities are vital to the residents’ safety and peace and to each other. There is nothing wrong with this show of support.” — Steve, Tewksbury
“How far are we going to back up in our support of police [and] fire? Just because there are bad apples let’s not ban apples. Let the hooligans and lawbreakers know that we can’t be bullied by wrongdoers into giving up our displays of loyalty. They’re not supporting rogue cops they’re supporting GOOD POLICE AND SAFETY PERSONNEL! Raise those flags and be proud of those they represent. And if you’ve GOT a bad cop — FIRE him.” — Mary, Westboro
“That town manager should be ashamed of himself. The fire department supporting a fallen officer and the police department is not divisive to any rational adult. He should resign for demonstrating poor decision making and embarrassing his town.” — Brian, Plymouth
“They absolutely should be able to fly the flag. Coming from a long family history of firefighters and police officers, they are out there risking their lives and well being and need support. To say these flags are political statements and mean something different than its original and continued meaning is nonsense. Under that reasoning BLM flags and signs are too. These two causes are not mutually exclusive. Supporting Black lives does not mean you are anti-police just as support of the police by flying a ‘thin blue line’ flag does not equate to being a racist. Stop the nonsense.” — Ted, Hull
Con:
“Public vehicles and buildings should be free of non-essential symbols or signage, they are not billboards for the zeitgeist.” — James, South Boston
“We already have a flag that is supposed to represent all of us. The ‘thin blue line’ suggests that one group is superior and represents institutional power.” — Peter, Lynnfield
“When a symbol becomes co-opted by a different group as an intimidation tactic, you stop using that symbol. Enough Trump rallies, white nationalists, and ‘all lives matter’ supporters fly the [‘thin blue line’] flag to know it’s not about a memorial for a person anymore. ‘Blue Lives’ are not lives; it’s a job. It’s still a dangerous and hard job, but it’s not the same as living every second of your life as a person of color. Logging and Alaska crab fishing in winter are also dangerous and deadly jobs. Plenty of cops and firefighters and their families fly the ‘thin blue line’ flag as a sign of intimidation against BLM supporters. Why would I believe that that person rushing to a car accident or fire would be wanting to help me 100% with that flag on the truck? If they’re insulted by the fact people assume they’re corrupt, then work on getting the corrupt ones out. It’s no different than the Catholic Church. Balking that people don’t want your flag flying from a firetruck bought and paid for by tax dollars instead of introspectively thinking about WHY they don’t support it, speaks volumes.” — Lee, Danvers
“Regardless of the historical context of the flag, it is now widely considered a symbol of white supremacy and therefore should not be allowed to be displayed.” — Christopher, Boston
“I feel badly for the first responders who fly this flag as a symbol of honor and to memorialize lives lost. However, I also have feelings that the U.S. flag should not be altered in any way to convey any other meaning than the flag of the United States.” — Rick, Stoneham
“First of all, there shouldn’t be any flags at all on fire trucks. It serves no purpose. Secondly, as long as employees of the fire department are paid through public funds, they should not be allowed to make any sort of statement (political, religious, verbal, symbolic, reasonable or otherwise, etc.) while performing their jobs or while representing their employee. It’s actually quite simple.” — Michael, Boston
“Fire and Police are very well paid to do what they do. I am eternally grateful to them. The medical professionals fighting [COVID-19] are too busy to congratulate themselves in such a selfish manner as policemen. Many people die while doing their job. What makes the police special?? Nothing!!!” — Jon, Lowell
“The best honor, remembrance, and support for each other can be offered through actions and not polarizing symbols like flags. They have to understand that even though it means one thing to them it has been co-opted by supremacists alongside the confederate flag and other common symbols of hate. If they still want to fly this symbol knowing what it represents to other members in communities across this country then maybe their intentions are not as innocent as they want us to believe…” — Anonymous
“People are born Black. No one is born a cop. Blue Lives Matter has always been about denigrating the African American struggle while elevating the supremacy of state-sanctioned violence against the Black community. It’s a cynical, hollow catchphrase that hucksters have glommed onto to sell cheap, tasteless merchandise to morally bankrupt conservatives whose inferiority complexes are deeply rooted in their own self-loathing.” — Bill, Somerville
“I believe this altered version of the American flag only causes greater separation and alienation from the communities in which the police departments serve. Brotherhood is something to be proud of but does the police not consider themselves as fellow Americans anymore? They shouldn’t fly a different flag. For me, that TBL flag pushes the message (and so does the gross militarization, lack of lawful oversight and moral responsibility) that they no longer see a commonality with their communities’ citizens and would rather become ‘occupying soldiers’ to rule as they wish, without repercussion.” — Scott, North End
“The thin blue line as represented by an adulterated United States flag, recolored black and white with a single blue line, is an abomination. It disrespects our Union and is against the U.S. Flag Code. It disrespects the Field of Blue, symbolizing vigilance, perseverance, and justice. All traits our nation desperately needs right now! It disrespects the original 13 colonies by blacking out the blood of the patriots who fought for our freedom! This is so much more disrespectful than kneeling for our national anthem.” — Chuck, Charlestown
“Whether they like it or not, this flag has been hijacked by pro-authoritarian nationalist militia types. And most cops probably like it that way just fine. The police union bosses keep telling their ranks to tell you that it’s pro-safety, pro-family, pro-law and order blah blah, but they know EXACTLY why they’re flying it, because it’s intimidating: [It] stands for enforcing the status quo, keeping their unions powerful, and our civil liberties diminished. And it’s only going to get worse. Reform NEEDS to happen, and they are the only ones standing in the way.” — Shirley, Boston
Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.
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