To the Editor:

The thin blue line US flag is the black and white version of the American flag with a blue line running horizontally through the middle. It rose to public prominence with the Police Lives Matter movement in 2014. In and of itself, it is intended to be a symbol of respect and solidarity within the law enforcement community. Seeing it adorned on a person’s house, car, or clothing, one would likely attribute it as a statement of support.

It is when symbols like the thin blue line US flag are used in opposition, antithesis to another person or group’s existence, that they become controversial, divisive, and disrespectful. Examples of such would be the co-opting of the thin blue line US flag by white nationalist groups and its display alongside confederate flags at the Unite the Right rally in 2017. Or, an angry mob’s use of the flag to assail Capitol Police officers in Washington, D.C. on January 6, 2021. These and other incidents have led some towns and police organizations in Connecticut and across the country to ban the use of the flag in their departments.

Surely, the demonstrators that gathered on September 27th at the flagpole, waving the thin blue line US flag, were there to show that they care deeply for our local and national law enforcement officers. However, rather than being a genuine and natural display of support, their event was hastily arranged in response to a discussion about hate crime between Newtown Allies for Change and a representative member of the Newtown Police Department, held directly across the street, at the same time.

Of course, these folks have the right to demonstrate publicly. What is head-scratching is that they did so directly in front of a private residence (mine, while there is no shortage of highly visible public spaces within a stones throw of the flagpole), during evening commute, at the intersection in town most notorious for traffic accidents. One might conclude that this gathering was designed to be seen by (and perhaps intimidate a little?) those attending the Newtown Allies for Change discussion. More dismaying is that the group of demonstrators included individuals running for or already serving elected positions in Newtown.

Regardless of who wins Newtown’s local elections this November, my personal hope is that the people we choose to represent us lead by being part of the conversation, rather than in opposition to the conversation.

Michael Guman

Newtown