“Pro-life flag” flown over Waltham Common

Waltham Police received a report that the American flag in the Waltham Common had been replaced by a Pro-Life Flag on Wednesday.

Responding to inquiries from residents, Ward 6 Councilor Sean Durkee posted on Facebook: “I’ve seen a lot of concerns over the flag currently flying on the Waltham Common. The policy is to allow a flag to be flown on the Waltham Common one day per year. The City Clerk just e-mailed the following on behalf of the mayor to Councilors:

‘Many cities and towns have received such requests after the Supreme Court ruled in Shurtleff v. City of Boston, 142 S. Ct. 1583 (2022), that the City of Boston violated the First Amendment by refusing to allow a religious organization to raise a religious flag in City Hall Plaza.’

The First Amendment is the concern: whom in local government gets to decide what is “good” or “bad?” I happened to speak with the mayor this morning and asked her about it. It’s an all or none option. The charities, non-profits, veterans groups, etc. which get to fly their flags as well is better than a no flag policy.”

The Pro Life Legal Defense Fund states that the flag was previously flown in Waltham in 2024. “From March 11th to March 12th, PLLDF’s newly created pro-life, pro-family flag flew fully and proudly on the Main Street flagpole outside the Waltham, MA City Hall,” according to the organizations’ website.