A Queens councilwoman wants to supply all Big Apple firehouses and police precincts with thin “red-line” and “blue-line” American flags in response to leftists claiming they’re fascist symbols.
Republican Joann Ariola collected 53 of the tribute flags from generous New Yorkers since beginning an online campaign two weeks ago.
The councilwoman already delivered blue-line flags to five Queens police precincts and red-line flags to four Queens firehouses, she told The Post.
NYC Councilwoman Joann Ariola is making it her mission to provide all NYPD precincts and FDNY firehouses with thin “red-line” and “blue-line” American flags honoring hero first responders. Helayne Seidman Ariola delivers a “red-line” flag on Friday to firefighters from Engine Company 331/Ladder Company 173 in Howard Beach. Helayne Seidman
“Far left activists are trying to turn the public against our first responders and sow chaos in this city,” said Ariola. “This campaign is a show of support for our first responders, to let them know that no matter what, the people of this city stand behind them.”
The request came after a neighborhood resident called the flag “fascist,” and Councilwoman Carlina Rivera (D-Manhattan) questioned whether it was a “politically charged symbol.”
The department was following a 2020 FDNY rule prohibiting “altered” versions of the American flag on department property, which was implemented under then-Commissioner Daniel Nigro during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests.
News of the flag removal March 22 sparked immediate outrage on social media, and hours later the FDNY reversed the decision.
Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh confirmed to The Post she “unequivocally support[s]” firefighters displaying the tribute flags.
FDNY Ladder Company 11 in Manhattan was ordered last month to remove a red-line flag honoring six of its fallen brothers killed during 9/11. However, the FDNY reversed the decision and now says it welcomes these flags. William Farrington
“The redline flag honors firefighters who lost their lives protecting our city,” she said. “We appreciate Councilwoman Ariola’s efforts in offering this flag to firehouses who will fly it proudly.”
The Police Department doesn’t have rules prohibiting blue-line flags on NYPD property.
Commanding officers at the 100th, 102nd, 104th, 106th and 112th precincts in Queens have accepted blue-line flags honoring cops killed or injured in the line of duty, according to Ariola, who plans to expand the giveaway citywide.
NYC Councilwoman Carlina Rivera (D-Manhattan) came under fire after her office questioned whether Ladder Company 11’s red-line flag was a “politically charged symbol.” Gregory P. Mango
Rivera previously insisted to The Post she only reached to the FDNY about Ladder Co. 11’s tribute flag because a constituent complained about it and that she has a “strong” relationship with the firehouse.
However, Rivera has a history of being critical of cops, including voting to defund the NYPD by $1 billion in 2020 and routinely ripping police officers that same year during the Black Lives Matters protests.
Rivera did not return messages.
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