An American flag presented at a construction site in Richmond, Virginia, was removed almost as soon as it was lit on Friday after city officials expressed concern that it could be a “target” for protesters and protesters.
Since George Floyd’s death in police custody in late May, protests and marches have continued across the country. While most of the protests have remained peaceful, officials fear the flag could pose a “security risk” for the July 4 weekend, according to The Washington Post.
“Over the past month, we have seen buildings and structures around Capitol Square smashed and flags, garbage bins, a bus and other items burned during protests in the city,” said Dena Potter, spokeswoman for the Virginia Department of General Services. , it’s a statement. Email on Friday.
“When we saw the flag, we were concerned that it might become a target, so we told the contractor to remove it,” Potter said.
The decision to tear down the flag upset a subcontractor, whose fireproofing company used tarps to create a giant flag, about the size of a one-story building, as part of a $ 300 million construction project.
“Since when is this flag, this weekend, IN THIS COUNTRY, a target!” Eric Winston of American Coatings Corp. wrote in a Facebook post. “Let me guess, if I had a black flag of life stuff it would be ‘ok’!”
Winston added that the flag was placed with the permission of the project’s general contractor, Gilbane Building Company. Gilbane complied with the order, and the flag was removed.
Winston disputed the request and wrote that “the American flag is a symbol of freedom.”
“I totally agree with the freedoms and freedom we have in this country, he protests, of course. Kneel down during the national anthem, whatever floats your ship. Marry whoever you want, absolutely! That’s what it stands for this flag it’s bull [expletive] that you made us remove it, “he added.
Potter said there were no issues with a standard-size American flag still hovering over the object on a crane, but that the massive flag that hung just a few floors above the ground was an easier range and could be a potential target.
Potter praised Gilbane for removing the flag.
“They responded a lot when we asked them to remove it,” he said in an email, adding that worker safety was the top priority and at the same time preventing any damage to the flag.
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