Join us to learn the history of the Massachusetts flag and seal and hear about the effort to create a new flag and seal which will represent peace, justice, equality, and inclusion for the Commonwealth.

For over 40 years, Indigenous leaders have been calling for the flag and seal of Massachusetts to be changed. To many, the imagery of a white arm holding a sword over the head of an Indigenous person, and the Latin motto, “By the Sword She Seeks Peace, but Peace with Liberty,” speaks of a history of violent colonization and conquest.
On January 6th, 2021, the Massachusetts Legislature established a Special Commission on the Official Seal and Motto of the Commonwealth, and invited Native leaders from the Wampanoag, Nipmuc, and Massachusett nations to sit with state legislators, historians, and others to recommend changes to the state symbol. In 2022, the statewide special commission recommended a total revision of the Massachusetts flag and seal.

A resolution on June town meeting warrants in West Brookfield, Brookfield, and Oakham will ask town voters if they are in support of changing the flag and seal of Massachusetts. Come find out more about this important racial justice issue.