Letter from Mayor on the town’s website:
TOWN OF WEST NEW YORK
MAYOR FELIX E. ROQUE, MD
MEDIA ADVISORY
MAYOR RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS OF FLAG BANNING
I want to make it very clear that American flags, nor any other nation’s flag, have NOT been
banned in West New York. It has been an unfortunate matter of misunderstanding.
As a colonel in the United States Army for 37 years, it would be absolutely absurd for me to
support flag banning in any way. I love this country. If not for this country, I would not have
been able to become a physician, a colonel, or your mayor.
It would be a violation of our freedom of speech to disallow residents to show their patriotism.
This is the sort of oppression I experienced in Cuba. The freedom to proudly display the
American flag and to express oneself is what inspired me to serve in the United States military
for nearly four decades. It is why I love my country.
The original intent behind the ordinance that was introduced on January 16 was to address the
digital signs and advertisements polluting our streets, NOT to ban the American flag. Many
surrounding towns have enacted similar laws in order to reduce the nuisance of too much
advertisement.
Ultimately the ordinance is meant to improve the quality of life for the residents of West New
York, which is always our goal.
Is there an actual exception for national flags written into the ordinance? If not, the intention was as clear as day.
In the News/Activism forum, on a thread titled NJ Town proposes flag ban, illiac wrote:
Letter from Mayor on the town’s website:
“TOWN OF WEST NEW YORK
MAYOR FELIX E. ROQUE, MD
MEDIA ADVISORY
MAYOR RESPONDS TO ALLEGATIONS OF FLAG BANNING
I want to make it very clear that American flags, nor any other nation’s flag, have NOT been
banned in West New York. It has been an unfortunate matter of misunderstanding.”
In the 20 posts since you posted this clarification by that towns mayor. Only 2 refered to it. The rest... draw your own conclusions. FR used to be a place where opinions were valued.... not so much anymore