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U.N. flag ordered down
Jamaica Plain Gazette | November 30, 2001 | Fabiana Montoya Scanlan

Posted on 12/02/2001 9:31:00 AM PST by ElectricStrawberry

When the United Nations flag went up on Oct. 24 at Jamaica Pond, it was meant to be a significant statement about people living together in peace and a way to recognize the important role the United Nations is playing in the war on terrorism.

Now, just a few weeks later, the flag has been taken down because it made "some people" uncomfortable according to Gerry Wright, the president of the Jamaica Pond Project.

Although the Jamaica Pond Project received approval from city officials to fly the flag along with POW/MIA and city flags and below the American flag, calls were made to the Office of Justine Liff, Commissioner of Parks and Recreation, requesting that the flag be taken down.

"I thought [flying the UN flag] was a great idea, but it made some people uncomfortable, so we had to respect their wishes," said Mary Hines, spokesperson for the Parks department.

She said around a dozen people felt it was not appropriate to fly the United Nations flag with the American flag. Since the Parks Department only received messages, she said it was hard to speculate who the complainers were.

At present, the United Nations is playing a key role around the world and in Afghanistan.

President George W. Bush said in his first address to the United Nations on Nov. 10, "The United States will work closely with the United Nations and development banks to reconstruct Afghanistan after hostilities there have ceased and the Taliban are no longer in control. And the United States will work with the U.N. to support a post-Taliban government that represents all the Afghan people."

Although Wright was disappointed to take the flag down, he complied after reading the Preamble, Purposes and Principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

According to the charter, "the people of the United Nations are determined to practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors."

Wright said, "To me, the Preamble, Purposes and Priciples were why we put the flag up and then took it down."

For Wright, seeing the flag at Jamaica Pond was significant to "the environment and the poor people throughout the world." He said he admires the United Nations' interest in human rights and actions as a peace keeping force.

Wright said he thought it was crucial to have the United Nations flag not only because of the September 11 tragedy, but also to shed more light on the everyday struggles of people around the world.

Hines, who said the citywide policy is only to fly the American, POW/MIA and city flags commented that Wright and Christine Cooper, Project Directer and Park Keeper, put a lot of thought into their idea. She said, "We could not run Jamaica Pond without Gerry and Christine."

Now the flag has found a new home inside the First Church Unitarian Universalist of Jamaica Plain. The Jamaica Pond Project donated the flag to the church, and the church accepted.

Reverend Terry Burke said, "We are pleased to accept the gift of the United Nations flag from the Pond Project. We are proud to be providing a sanctuary for the flag."


TOPICS: Activism/Chapters; Announcements
KEYWORDS: unlist
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To: ElectricStrawberry
"I happened to be one of those "some people" and the word "uncomfortable" did not come out of my mouth in my message. Most of what I said could not be printed. This was the first time that I tried something as an individual and actually got my reward."

Nice job bro. You are single handedly turning this town around !

Three Cheers !

61 posted on 12/02/2001 2:39:45 PM PST by michaelje
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To: dansangel
Well, pray for me will ya - I still live in Kalifornia!!
62 posted on 12/02/2001 2:45:45 PM PST by Sueann
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To: Sueann
There's hope for you. I got out of MA with my sanity intact. You can still make the great escape from KA....oops, I mean CA. LOL!
63 posted on 12/02/2001 2:50:16 PM PST by dansangel
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To: ElectricStrawberry
Thank you for speaking up. It's heartening to see that being a Conservative here in the Comonwealth is not a lost cause.
This story brightened my day.
64 posted on 12/02/2001 2:54:57 PM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts
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To: ElectricStrawberry
"Now the flag has found a new home inside the First Church Unitarian Universalist "

As an aside, I thought I'd mention that I attended services a few times at a Unitarian Universalist church a while back and I was appalled at what they teach the youngsters there. Let me just say that they'd fit right in in Amherst.

65 posted on 12/02/2001 2:59:39 PM PST by Bloody Sam Roberts
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To: michaelje
Have you noticed where ever that lad goes there is a lot of screaming and yelling, must be his Scotts blood. Makes me glad I'm only 1/4 Scott and enjoy a quiet life.
66 posted on 12/02/2001 3:53:19 PM PST by Little Bill
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To: rugggud
Well UN is against US sovreignty because they want to tell us what to do. We're big on America not answering to a higher "authority" around here. The Durbin Conference on Racism focused on the abuse of Africans by US through slavery, ignoring slavery still existing in Africa, and treatment of Palestinians by Israel.

Actually, there are way more FReepers that can enlighten you on the UN than I am; I'm pretty new, too, and I'm simply relating what I've learned here from others...

67 posted on 12/02/2001 5:01:07 PM PST by stands2reason
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To: ElectricStrawberry
The UN is not your freind

http://www.getusout.com

68 posted on 12/02/2001 5:05:02 PM PST by RMrattlesnake
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To: stands2reason
The Durbin Conference on Racism focused on the abuse of Africans by US through slavery, ignoring slavery still existing in Africa, and treatment of Palestinians by Israel.

If you ever have a chance to FReep the unwashed commie B@stards remember that conference, they have a tendancy to forget it. It ain't me it is them, get real.

69 posted on 12/02/2001 5:12:26 PM PST by Little Bill
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To: JD86
I have to wonder how it can ever be a victory in America when a flag has to be forced down. Odd in a country meant to stand for Freedom.

Regardless of whether you agree with what that flag stands for..that is life in America...get over it

70 posted on 12/02/2001 5:12:52 PM PST by Lucas1
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To: Lucas1
It's not our flag. What do you not understand about that?
71 posted on 12/02/2001 5:15:07 PM PST by JD86
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To: ElectricStrawberry
Excellent work. As someone who has spent some time in JP, I salute your tenacity in a hostile environment.
72 posted on 12/02/2001 5:18:03 PM PST by Antoninus
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To: rugggud
The Truth Shall Make You FREE! THIS IS PART OF THe U.N
73 posted on 12/02/2001 5:22:35 PM PST by expose
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To: Lucas1; JD86
Regardless of whether you agree with what that flag stands for..that is life in America...get over it

That Flag is not my Flag, my brothers did not die for that flag. When you grow up, you little puke, and find out that that flag is the sign of oppression, you may find out about This Republic, go back to your dorm.

74 posted on 12/02/2001 5:24:41 PM PST by Little Bill
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To: Lucas1
Regardless of whether you agree with what that flag stands for...that is life in America...get over it.

If some liberal-communist-lesbian-peace-Nazi wants to fly that symbol-not-even-worth-the-nylon-it's-dyed-on at her own darn house, then I don't give a rat's a$$. However, as long as you lib weenies want to ban nativity scenes, Santa Claus, non-PC sport team names, and the rest of your cause, I refuse to allow that piece of sh!t to fly on public property in MY town. The next time Illl walk by with a lighter.

75 posted on 12/02/2001 5:45:24 PM PST by ElectricStrawberry
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To: Lucas1; Little Bill
I sense someone is about to reveal their true colors.
76 posted on 12/02/2001 6:13:17 PM PST by michaelje
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To: ElectricStrawberry
"If some liberal-communist-lesbian-peace-Nazi wants to fly that symbol-not-even-worth-the-nylon-it's-dyed-on at her own darn house, then I don't give a rat's a$$. However, as long as you lib weenies want to ban nativity scenes, Santa Claus, non-PC sport team names, and the rest of your cause, I refuse to allow that piece of sh!t to fly on public property in MY town. The next time Illl walk by with a lighter."

What was life on FR like before you ?

You got a way with words man. Well said.

77 posted on 12/02/2001 6:15:12 PM PST by michaelje
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To: rugggud
For openers, the 'folks' setting up the UN Charter were communists....Alger Hess, USA, was the acting secretary general.

Today, there are more socialist/communist regimes posturing in their Ivory Tower about how the USA should pay for it all, should 'care' more, yada yada yada.

First of all, I would suggest you get a copy of and read the Declaration of Indpendence and the Constitution of the United States of America. You might even toss in a few writings of the Founding Fathers.

Then, a rather interesting, though long and dry, reading is to grab your enclyclopedia and read about the UN AND read the Charter......I have a 1956 vintage Enclyclopedia......then go to their website and start reading. Notice the differences???

78 posted on 12/02/2001 6:23:35 PM PST by Rowdee
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To: stands2reason; rugggud
Not to mention that the UN was founded on a false premise.
79 posted on 12/02/2001 6:27:15 PM PST by michaelje
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Comment #80 Removed by Moderator


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