A town council in Connecticut has come under heavy scrutiny after refusing to fly the thin blue line flag just weeks after the death of a local police officer.
Trooper First Class Aaron Pelletier was killed in the line of duty earlier this month, prompting renewed calls to fly the flag in Wethersfield which began following the death of Deputy Robert “Bobby” Garten in September 2023.
However, despite local outrage, councilmembers have stuck by the decision to not fly the flag, instead opting to fly the pride flag at Wethersfield Town Council instead.
On Monday, June 3rd, councilmembers voted 5-3 not to fly the thin blue line flag on the day of Trooper First Class Pelletier’s funeral, with Democratic Deputy Mayor Matthew Forest arguing that it was “emblematic of white nationalist, neo-Nazi and alt-right movements in the United States”.
A follow-up debate exactly two weeks later saw tensions on all sides, with family members of the victims expressing their discontent at the council’s decision. Some members of the public, however, expressed support for the council given that flying the thin blue line flag would have breached its recently updated policy to require a 30-day notice period before any flag can be flown.
Footage from the meeting was shared on the social media platform X (formally known as Twitter).
Many social media users were dismayed at the insensitivity of flying a pride flag over one which symbolizes support for police.
Others recognized the divisions by the move and offered alternative solutions.
What’s your view? Did Wethersfield Town Council make the correct decision, or should an exception have been made? Let us know in the comments below.
