NY officials re-raise pride flag removed from Stonewall

NEW YORK - Hundreds gathered to watch as New York officials re-raised the LGBTQ+ pride flag at the Stonewall National Monument, FOX 5 NY's Kendall Green reports.

Pride flag re-raised at Stonewall

What we know:

New York officials re-raised the pride flag two days after the Trump administration removed it from the monument.

Local officials like New York State Sen. Erik Bottcher re-raised the flag earlier today, Feb. 12, at 4 p.m.

Green spoke to one individual in the crowd about the flag's removal: "This is a local park. Our people fought for that flag, and the right to be who they are."

The historic site is considered the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ movement.

The backstory:

The pride flag was removed on Feb. 10 in response to a memo the Trump administration issued last month.

According to the memo, only these specific flags are permitted to fly at national park sites:

• The United States of America flag
• The Department of the Interior flags
• The POW/MIA (prisoner of war/missing in action) flag

What they're saying:

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Interior sent this statement to FOX 5 NY:

"Hundreds of families in New York City went without power during this year’s severe cold weather, people are being found dead on the streets and trash has piled up so high it towers over city residents. This is Mayor Mamdani and city officials' New York City. While today's political stunt is a distraction from their recent deadly failures, it would be a better use of their time to get the trash buildup off city streets, ensure there are no more avoidable deaths and work to keep the power on for the people of New York City. Today's political pageantry shows how utterly incompetent and misaligned the New York City officials are with the problems their city is facing.

Again, all government agencies follow longstanding federal flag policy that has been in place for decades. The United States Flag Code and the General Services Administration 41 CFR 102-74.415 give guidance regarding the display of flags on government flagpoles. Recent adjustments to flag displays at the monument were made to ensure consistency with federal guidance. Stonewall National Monument remains committed to preserving and interpreting the history and significance of this site through its exhibits, programs, and educational initiatives."

The Trump administration has yet to respond to the re-raising of the flag.