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Council agrees to short Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony; staff to raise both Juneteenth and Pan-African flags over holiday
Summary
Councilmember Danielle proposed a Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony on June 18 and advocated raising the Pan-African flag; the mayor noted the city has raised both the Juneteenth and Pan-African flags as a compromise, and staff will coordinate a short ceremony before the holiday weekend.
Councilmember Danielle asked the mayor and council on June 9 to hold a formal Juneteenth flag-raising ceremony and to fly the Pan-African (Marcus Garvey) flag in observance of Juneteenth rather than, or in addition to, the Juneteenth flag. She said local residents had requested the Pan-African flag as a symbol that centers people rather than a single state and that a ceremony would allow readings and musical performances.
The mayor responded that the city has raised both flags (Juneteenth and Pan-African) as a compromise to reflect different community perspectives and that the flags have been posted previously. Councilmembers generally supported a short public flag-raising ceremony on June 18, with the flags remaining visible over the holiday weekend. City staff (Kamali) said the poles are available and staff can schedule a brief event on June 18 morning or midday, and the mayor asked staff to arrange logistics while respecting staff holiday schedules.
Council also discussed pairing future ceremonial raises (for Pride and other observances) with similar short public ceremonies to engage residents. No formal vote was required; staff will coordinate timing and logistics.
