By David Detmold
Coordinator, changethemassflag.com
Resolutions in Support of Changing the Flag and Seal of Massachusetts will appear on upcoming annual town meeting warrants:
- Petersham Annual Town Meeting, Article 38 (last article on warrant): Monday, June 6th, 7 pm at the Petersham Town Hall, 1 South Main Street
- Athol Annual Town Meeting, Article 32, Monday, June 13th, 7 pm at the Athol Memorial Building, 584 Main Street
- Barre Annual Town Meeting, Tuesday, June 14th, 6:30 pm (place to be determined)
The resolutions call for supporting the work of the special commission established by the state legislature in 2021 to recommend changes to the current, racist imagery of a white hand holding a Colonial sword over the head of an Indigenous person with the Latin motto: “Peace Under the Sword…” and also call for a NEW Flag and Seal for the Commonwealth. Resolutions in support of changing the flag and seal have been approved to date in 48 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. Copies of successful resolutions are forwarded to the special commission and to local legislators, since the legislature will have to take a vote on any recommendations that may be forthcoming from the special commission to finally change the flag and seal. Recommendations are expected to be forwarded to the legislature by early 2023 – so a final vote to change the flag and seal could come as soon as 2023 or more likely in 2024. There is time for more town meetings to weigh in on this long stalled racial justice measure for Massachusetts. To help add your city or town to the growing list of communities that have taken (or are about to take) formal votes in favor of changing the flag and seal, and for more information on this issue, go to: changethemassflag.com
Massachusetts continues to fly the last state flag of white supremacy in America. This shameful flag, memorializing the violent oppression of Indigenous people, must change
