Sacramento Coalition to End the War

City Council to take up appeal by ACLU, vets to allow permit for 120,000 flags on Memorial Day to honor U.S. military, Iraqi civilians killed

SACRAMENTO – The Sacramento City Council has quickly added to its agenda Tuesday (beginning at 2 p.m.) the question of permitting – the city attorney quashed the permit last week – a special Memorial Day display of 120,000 flags to commemorate the deaths of U.S. troops, and Iraqi civilians in the war in Iraq.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Sacramento and a veterans group will hold a MEDIA AVAILABILITY TUESDAY at 1:45 p.m. shortly before the 2 p.m. meeting at City Hall (915 I Street).

The ACLU has joined veterans and other organizations in appealing the decision by the city attorney, and is asking the City Council allow the flags to temporarily occupy otherwise empty city land over the Memorial Day weekend.

Sponsors said permit approval for the display – part of a traveling display which has been allowed in other U.S. cities, including Portland, OR and Boulder, CO. – was assured by the city nearly 6 weeks ago, but the city changed its mind just a few days ago, with little notice.

Because of the late termination, sponsors believe the rejection is based on the suspected political content of the display – something that may make the rejection unconstitutional, and contrary to city ordinances. Other than the tiny flags, sponsors said there will be no other literature or political content.

Several members of the City Council, including Vietnam War veteran Ray Treatheway, said they support the display.

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