Should Massachusetts Change Its Flag? Falmouth Town Meeting Says Yes

FALMOUTH, MA — Add Falmouth to the list of cities and towns in Massachusetts urging lawmakers to make progress in changing the state flag, which Native American groups have called a "symbol of white supremacy."

At the April 11 town meeting, town meeting members narrowly voted to support Article 19, which called for town officials to send a resolution to Cape Cod state lawmakers to continue their support of a special commission tasked with drafting a new flag and seal.

Town meeting members voted 98 in favor to 94 opposed in support of the article.

A 19-member state seal and motto commission made up of Massachusetts senators, historians, indigenous tribe representatives, and legislators unanimously voted to recommend the change of the seal originally designed in 1898 in May 2022.

Read more: Massachusetts Commission Unanimously Votes To Change State Seal & Flag

The state flag current depicts a Native American man holding a bow and arrow beneath an arm holding a sword - which is supposed to be the hand of English militia leader Myles Standish as if he is going to strike the indigenous person beneath him. Standish was known for his intimidation approach against multiple Native American settlements in the early 1620s.

The flag has been called a "symbol of white supremacy" by many Native American groups, as it depicts the defeat of local tribes at the hands of colonists.

Citing this history and a number of other atrocities against Native American populations in this region, including "the forced internment of thousands of so-called 'praying Indians' on Deer Island," the article sought officials to double down on the support of the group.

Now, Falmouth's town clerk is tasked with forwarding a copy of the positive resolution to Sen. Susan Moran, Rep. Dylan Fernandes and Rep. David Vieira " with the request that they continue their strong support for the work of the aforementioned Special Commission and their advocacy for a new flag and seal for the Commonwealth."

With reporting from Haley Cornell.