An East Village ladder company of the Fire Department was instructed to take down its “red line” American flag, a symbol honoring the members lost in the 9/11 attacks, following complaints that labeled the emblem as “fascist.” The controversy was ignited when an individual, claiming to work for Manhattan Councilwoman Carlina Rivera, approached firefighters at Ladder Co. 11, alleging the councilwoman’s office had previously voiced concerns to the FDNY about the flag. The “red line” flag, signifying respect for firefighters injured or killed in duty, became the center of debate when Rivera’s staff inquired about its accordance with department rules.
The situation escalated quickly, leading to the flag’s temporary removal by order of FDNY Deputy Chief Joseph Schiralli, citing a department policy against “altered” versions of the American flag established in 2020 during peak anti-police sentiment. This decision, though initially met with frustration from the firefighters, was later reversed, allowing the flag to be reinstated on the fire truck.
The flag, bearing immense significance for the firefighters at Ladder Co. 11, commemorates the lives of Lt. Michael Quilty and Firefighters Michael Cammarata, Edward Day, John Heffernan, Richard Kelly Jr., and Matthew Rogan, who all perished during the World Trade Center attacks on September 11, 2001. The reversal of the flag’s removal was welcomed by the firefighters, though they expressed discontent that the issue arose initially.
Councilwoman Rivera clarified that her office’s involvement was limited to inquiring about the flag’s compliance with FDNY rules following a constituent’s complaint, emphasizing her longstanding positive relationship with Ladder 11. The incident has sparked broader discussions on the interpretation of political symbols and the First Amendment rights of civil servants, with FDNY sources suggesting a potential mix-up between the “red line” flag and the “blue line” flag, which honors police officers.