The East Village ladder company was ordered to remove their “red line” American flag honoring six firefighters killed on 9/11 after a neighborhood resident complained it was fascist and a local politician questioned its political symbolism. The order came after a man claiming to be a staffer for Democratic Manhattan Councilwoman Carlina Rivera confronted firefighters at Ladder Co. 11 and demanded to know why the flag was still up, calling it a “fascist symbol.” This led to an email from Rivera’s office to the FDNY questioning the flag’s legality, resulting in the flag being ordered to be removed by FDNY Deputy Chief Joseph Schiralli.
The rule prohibiting altered versions of the American flag was implemented in 2020 during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests. However, the decision to remove the flag sparked immediate outrage on social media, with many expressing their support for the firefighters and criticizing the decision. Ultimately, Commissioner Laura Kavanagh and Chief of Department John Hodgens reversed the decision and allowed the flag back on the truck. While the firefighters were pleased with the outcome, they were offended that the flag had to be removed in the first place, as it held significant meaning for them.
Ladder Company 11 displays their red line flag next to a memorial placard honoring the six firefighters killed on 9/11. The firefighters expressed disappointment that Rivera’s office did not seek to understand the flag’s significance before requesting its removal. Rivera denied that her office contacted Ladder Co. 11 directly about the issue and claimed that the initial complainant was a constituent, not a staffer. She stated that her office has not taken any further action on the matter and has allocated funds to improve the ladder company’s firehouse.
FDNY sources suggested that the confusion may have stemmed from mistaking the red line flag for a blue line flag, which is typically displayed to honor police officers. Councilwoman Joann Ariola criticized the flag removal as a sanctioned attack on the First Amendment rights of civil servants and expressed concern about the increasing radicalism and censorship in American politics. Rivera, a former member of the Democratic Socialists of America, has been vocal in her support for defunding the NYPD and criticizing police during the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020.
Despite the controversy, the red line flag honoring the six firefighters killed on 9/11 was ultimately allowed to be displayed on Ladder Co. 11’s fire truck. The incident sparked a discussion about political symbols and free speech rights within the fire department. The firefighters at Ladder Co. 11 were grateful for the support they received in defense of the flag and hope to continue honoring their fallen brothers. The situation highlighted the challenges of balancing political sensitivities with honoring the sacrifices made by first responders.
