To help celebrate his meeting with China Ambassador Cui Tiankai, Washington Governor Jay Inslee raised the Chinese flag between the American and state flags outside the Capitol building in Olympia.
The Chinese flag was flown at the same height as the American flag, a violation of proper flag protocol.
Over the weekend, a small group of activists carrying Gadsden flags, along with the assistance of an officer removed the Communist flag.
Via Examiner (H/T Gateway Pundit):
On Saturday, a small group of activists carrying yellow Gadsden flags now associated with the Tea Party, assisted by a trooper from the Washington State Police, removed the flag of Communist China from the state capitol building in Olympia, Washington. The flag, according to reports, was placed between the U.S. flag and the state flag in honor of a meeting with Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai, the News Commenter said.
“That’s an officer I can support,” one person said of the trooper providing assistance. The officer remained unidentified in the video, but one activist said he was an Oath Keeper.
“Whoo,” one person cheered as the red Chinese flag began to be pulled down.
Watch video of the Chinese flag being removed from the Washington State Capitol…
Did these activists go too far, or did they do exactly what one would expect from a patriotic group of Americans? Would you have removed the Chinese flag if you saw something similar at one of your government buildings?
These Government buildings and th American flag belong to the people.
This was not a violation of flag protocol. Protocol says that no flag of any other nation will be flown higher than or to the right of the flag of the United States.
Typical flag illiteracy being shown here by the commenters except the one that stated the proper flag protocols. You other people are disgraceful in you patriotism and respect for the flag that represents our country, and the great history that it represents. I would be ashamed if I were you, if you don’t respect this country you don’t belong here. In fact if you like China so much just move there I’m sure they’d love to have traitorous expats as their punching bags. Get a clue, get some pride and respect for the flag that has flown and represented this country for 200 plus years. But then again ya can’t fix stupid.
You’re arguing… about… flags. Let that sink in for a bit.
Fro,the flag code”
§7. Position and manner of display
…No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy. No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States or any Territory or possession thereof: Provided, That nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior prominence or honor, and other national flags in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United Nations….”
So the only place IN THE US that any flag from another nation can be flown at equal level to the US flag is at the United Nations. Period. The “…two or more nations…” language refers to OTHER nations flags – no matter how many OTHER NATIONS flags are being displayed – they cannot be placed above another nation’s – under the height of the US flag. The US Flag is also supposed to be flown from the center pole, etc.
I know – if you have never served this country you really don’t understand the significance.
Dude … read your own posting again.
“No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America … ” It says “NO WHERE” not even the United Nations. And besides, these flags were following all the rules. The Chinese flag was not place higher, or in a more prominent manner … now I’m sure you’re going to say that the Chinese flag should not be placed to the right of the U.S. flag as per your rules … from where the patriots are standing the Chinese flag is to the right but from what about if they stand on the other side of the poles? Then it’s to the left.
I’m sure you can find some rules about not tampering with government property in there somewhere too. And like I said, I bet everything everyone of these people are wearing was made in China … just like their cameras and your computer.
OK … this is just stupid and what makes Americans look like idiots around the world. I appreciate their passion but they are laughable as to their unbeknownst hypocrisy. Why do I say this? Because I bet you nearly every piece of clothing they are wearing, from their hats to their boots are made in China. I’ll also bet you that the cameras they were using to record their little escapade were also made in China. I’d even wager that the rope used to hoist the stars and stripes was made in China. Patriots? Maybe … full of crap. Most definitely.
“When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height.
This statement refers to the staffs the flags are flown on not the flags themselves. It clearly states that the staffs are OF the same height.Not the flags are flown AT the same height.
As far as the rest of the statement Proper flag etiquette states that the American Flad is to be flown higher than any other flag.
Sorry for typo American Flag
Read the entire thing.
“International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.”
At least the make shift color guard knew to raise the American flag higher than the groups colors.
I’m sure if it were an Israel flag their would be NO issues! :P
Justin, I agree! They claim to be “patriots”, yet they love another country and it’s leader more than their own.
“When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.”
If,. as stated in the article the Chinese and American flags were flown at the save height, then the flag code was properly followed as the above extract from the code shows.