Right Here In River City

Enfield had a change in the mayor’s party, from Democratic to Republican and they started already… no more Pride flags because they are afraid that “ISIS or the IRA .

New Enfield policy that forbids Pride and other flags at Town Hall sparks uproar
CT Insider
By Susan Danseyar
January 9, 2024

Since 2022, Enfield Town Hall has flown a rainbow flag in June in honor of Pride Month and to celebrate the town's LGBTQ+ community. But now, a large number of residents are concerned after the Town Council decided to repeal the policy that allowed the flag to be displayed.

A new policy, which the Town Council approved 6-5 on Monday, forbids any flag from flying in front of town buildings and flag poles except for the U.S., Connecticut, and POW/MIA flags.

Republican Douglas Finger and Democrats Gina Cekala, Bob Cressotti, Cindy Mangini, and John Santanella were opposed to the restriction.

[…]

Residents questioned the Republican majority's reason for proposing the policy. "Why are we even having this conversation?" asked Christina Tetreault. "There have been zero negative reactions to the Pride flag. What is the real underlying reason you have against the Pride flag?"

NBC Connecticut News reported that,

Tom Tyler, the interim town attorney for the town of Enfield, elaborated on an opinion sent to the council by a former town attorney.

“ISIS could come in and want to display one, the IRA…basically anybody. You’d have to be content neutral and let everybody,” Tyler said.

Greg Gray, pastor of Enfield UCC and president of Enfield Pride, said it was a flag the organization donated to the town that was displayed on the flagpole.

They are now encouraging more people and businesses to display Pride flags in response.

“I am disturbed that the new Republican majority felt this was a decision they needed to make basically on day one of them coming into office,” Gray said.

What's next, book bans? Or maybe not being able to say “Gay.”