Last Updated on January 14, 2023
The pro-police Thin Blue Line flag has been banned from being displayed on any public areas of Los Angeles Police Department’s (LAPD) property.
Michel Moore, the LAPD chief, said Friday the department was banning the Thin Blue Line flag after a complaint said it “symbolized support for violent extremist views, such as those represented by the Proud Boys and others.”
Moore supported the ban since he claims the symbol was “hijacked” by extremists. “It’s unfortunate that extremist groups have hijacked the use of the ‘Thin Blue Line flag’ to symbolize their undemocratic, racist, and bigoted views,” Moore told Fox News.
While originally viewing the slag to represent the “honor, valor, dedication, and sacrifice of law enforcement to protect our communities,” Moore said it is now can symbolize “racist, bigoted and oppressive values.”
Saying the LAPD’s property should not show “political ideology,” Moore “directed to have the item taken down from the public lobby.”
“The U.S. flag should be proudly displayed in our lobbies whenever possible. Memorials for our fallen are also authorized in all public spaces,” the chief added.
A union representing nearly 10,000 LAPD officers slammed Moore for “political pandering,” saying the chief’s actions caused them “utter disgust and disappointment.”
“It is difficult to express the level of utter disgust and disappointment with Chief Moore’s politically pandering directive to remove Thin Blue Line flags and memorials for fallen officers from all public areas within our police stations,” the Los Angeles Police Protective League’s board of directors wrote in a statement.
“This direction came as a result of complaints from anti-police, criminal apologists, and activists who hold too much sway over our city leaders and, unfortunately, our Chief,” the statement continued.
Further explaining the symbology behind the Thin Blue flag, the union wrote:
“Let’s all remember what the Thin Blue Line flag is and what it represents: ‘The Thin Blue Line flag features a black and white image of the American flag with the horizontal stripe beneath the field of white stars on the black background. The stars represent the citizenry who stand for justice and order. The darkness represents chaos and anarchy, and to many, a memorial to the law enforcement officers who have perished in the line of duty.”
Stay tuned to National File for any updates.
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