Annapolis Mayor: US Flags Lowered For Capital Gazette Victims

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley said he waited all weekend to hear if President Donald Trump would order American flags lowered to half-staff in honor of the five Capital Gazette mass shooting victims, only to learn late Monday that the White House had denied the request. Whether that decision was made by a staffer or the president is unclear, but after hours of media coverage and online debate over the issue, the commander in chief issued a proclamation this morning ordering flags lowered until sunset Tuesday, July 3.

Buckley, who made the initial request through Maryland Congressman John Sarbanes and other GOP leaders in the state, posted on Facebook overnight that White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called him from the White House saying they were still considering lowering flags. At a press conference, the mayor said Sanders called him at 7:16 a.m. Tuesday to inform him that President Trump will issue aproclamation to order flags to be flown at half staff at the White House and all federal buildings.

"I would like to thank President Trump for responding to our request," Buckley said. ... "We have lowered the flag. We will never forget those names. We need the support community-based journalism brings."

Those killed are:

• Rob Hiaasen, 59, Assistant Editor / Sunday Columnist
• Gerald Fischman, 61, Editorial Page Editor
• John McNamara, 56, Sports Reporter
• Wendi Winters, 65, Editor / Community Reporter
• Rebecca Smith, 34, Sales Assistant

“This is an attack on free speech, this is an attack on journalists. This could have happened in any newsroom," Buckley said. "Who would think you would be putting your life on the line in a beautiful community like this.”

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Trump has previously ordered flags to be lowered honor victims in mass shootings in the past, including at schools in Texas and Florida.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan last week ordered the state flags to be lowered to half-staff through sunset Monday in honor of the five slain newspaper employees. Buckley said flags in Annapolis will remain lowered until the funeral services for all the victims have been held.

Annapolis residents on the mayor's Facebook page had been urging Buckley or Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to order that American flags also be lowered. But, the U.S. Flag Code doesn't give mayors or governors the authority to do so.

“It was still very raw for us. We followed the protocol. When the lines of communication opened up, we got the result we wanted,” Buckley said.

In what he called one bit of good news in a bad situation, Buckley said that the city is planning a concert on the state capitol steps in coming weeks to celebrate free speech, and to raise money for the families of those killed. He noted that U2 lead singer Bono had dedicated the song “One” at a concert in Newark, New Jersey, to the Capital Gazette.

“To people who, at their best, give us the very foundation of our democracy,” Bono said of journalists. “They give us the facts, of which to form our opinions. They give us truths to guide our understanding, and we need them.”

Here's more on the flag code says:

"By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff."

In addition to the Flag Code, Proclamation 3044 Section 5 says, "The heads of the several departments and agencies of the [federal] Government may direct that the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff on buildings, grounds, or naval vessels under their jurisdiction on occasions other than those specified herein which they consider proper, and that suitable military honors be rendered as appropriate."

The American Society of News Editors and the Associated Press Media Editors are asking newsrooms worldwide to participate in a moment of silence for "contemplation, prayer, reflection or meditation" at 2:33 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday.

"The tragedy last Thursday at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Maryland, tears at our hearts, tugs at our compassion and calls forth our fears for the safety of all those on the front lines of truth, accountability and journalistic pursuit," the organization said in a release.

The two organizations are also urging all newsrooms to review and share this tip sheet, which includes best practices for newsroom safety.

See related coverage:

• Moment Of Silence Planned For Newspaper Victims, Survivor Stories
• Annapolis Shooting: Here Are The 5 Capital Gazette Victims
• Woman 'Tormented, Terrorized' By Accused Shooter Ramos Speaks Out
• Accused Newspaper Gunman's Rampage Was Almost 8 Years In Making