The U.S., California, and Riverside flags hang still outside the City Council chambers as council members voted to end commemorative flag displays on City property.
The Riverside City Council voted 5-1 on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, to repeal a policy allowing commemorative flags to be flown at City Hall, reverting to only flying U.S., California, and Riverside flags.
Councilmember Chuck Conder, who introduced the motion to repeal, said displaying flags for specific groups is "separating us" rather than uniting the community. "This is not anything about targeting any group. It's just that the responsibility of government is to represent all, all the time," Conder said.
The policy, adopted in May 2023, allowed flags representing groups like the LGBTQ community, people with disabilities, and Black History Month to be flown alongside official flags.
Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes, who initially proposed the commemorative flag policy, strongly opposed its repeal.
"It is painful to have this come back today to be requested to be repealed," Cervantes said. "When I've had residents personally come to me and look me in the face and tell me what these flags have meant to them, what it means to their children, what it means for our elders."
"These flags are an acknowledgment of those that have been the most marginalized in society, and to couch that as somehow divisive is thinly veiled," one unnamed public commenter wrote.
"What actually makes folks' lives better is to invest in them, to have more money in their pocket, less taxes, keep your money, better jobs, higher wages, better education, upward social mobility," Falcone said. "That's what makes people's lives better. A flag does not."
"This decision is not about ignoring or diminishing our city's diversity," said Councilmember Steven Robillard. "Riverside is a place where every culture and every voice matters."
Councilmember Jim Perry added that repealing the policy "is not going to preclude or prevent the opportunity to put on events, ceremonies or recognition" for diverse groups.
Councilmember Hemenway was absent from the vote.
The repeal takes effect immediately, ending Riverside's 18-month experiment with flying commemorative flags at City Hall.
City Council will consider reversing 2023's Commemorative Flag Policy and authorizing the redevelopment of the old Sears building into a new 388-unit apartment complex.
