As three Republican U.S. Senators are asking President Biden to fly a pro-life flag at the White House during October, Knox County Right to Life is asking the Galesburg city council to fly one at city hall.
In a letter to the President, Senators Pete Ricketts, Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Kevin Cramer said the administration flew the pride flag at the White House during Pride Month.
So they believe the pro-life flag should fly during Respect Life Month to send the message that the country respects all beliefs -- and is committed to protecting innocent and vulnerable lives.
In Galesburg, it’s a tale of two flags as well.
The pride flag first flew at Galesburg city hall in 2020.
But earlier this year, a majority of council members initially did not want flags to fly on city property during Pride Month, saying the city needed a flag ordinance first.
Ward Six Council Member Sarah Davis questioned the motive back in June.
“As the only openly queer member of city council, do you think I was consulted when the majority came up with the idea of a really pitiful excuse of a flag policy? It’s thinly veiled bigotry is what it is,” Davis said.
Ultimately all council members – except Ward Three’s Evan Miller – voted to fly the pride flags this year, then get to work on a flag ordinance.
Now Knox County Right to Life has asked the city to fly a Respect Life flag at city hall for the first time, but there’s still no flag ordinance.
Mayor Peter Schwartzman said such an ordinance hasn’t been brought forward yet given the turnover in city administration, but likely will be before the end of the year.
“I don’t believe we should be flying any ‘new’ flags until that ordinance is in place,” Schwartzman said.
The city council will vote Monday on flying the pro-life flag and on a resolution recognizing October as Respect Life Month, which has been celebrated by the Catholic Church for 50 years.
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