Smiley Approves Palestinian Flag Raising Ceremony Over City Hall, Says City Council Office

Smiley Approves Palestinian Flag Raising Ceremony Over City Hall, Says City Council Office

The Palestinian flag is just about everywhere in Providence City Hall these days.

 

One flag is flying in the City Council Chamber, and the Palestinian flag will be raised over City Hall in a ceremony on Friday at noon.

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According to communications from the City Council office, both in an email to members of the City Council and in an email to GoLocal, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has approved the Palestinian flag being raised over Providence City Hall in a ceremony on Friday.

 

“Council President Miller received a request from the community to raise the Palestinian flag tomorrow, [SIC} Thursday, May 15. As we do for many countries, cultures, and celebrations throughout the year, the flag will be up for the day of the event. It will be taken down in the evening, and used for a flag raising from City Hall, approved by Mayor Smiley and the Dept. of Public Property, at 12 pm on Friday, May 16. All are welcome to attend,” wrote City Council’s new communications director, Marc Boyd.

 

The message to GoLocal was functionally identical to an email sent to members of the City Council on Wednesday morning. That email was signed by the Chief of Staff, June Rose. Rose has been arrested twice in protests. The most recent arrest was at Trump Tower in March.

 

Smiley's Response

Smiley wrote in an email to GoLocal, "At the request of the City Council and two constituents, the City is flying the Palestinian flag."

 

A spokesman for Smiley, Josh Estrella, writes, "The Mayor’s office was informed that City Council will be hosting a flag raising ceremony outside of City Hall in a public space on Friday. We have Palestinian American residents of Providence and are happy to celebrate their culture, as we do with many other communities. We hope that we can use opportunities like this to help foster thoughtful dialogue and unity, and that it is not used for divisiveness."

 

Earlier today, GoLocal unveiled that the Providence City Council Chamber is now flying the flag of Palestine.

 

Traditionally, the Council Chambers were adorned only with the American flag, the flags of the state of Rhode Island, and the city of Providence.

 

Now, the Palestinian flag is located directly next to the City Council President’s dais.