Flag Fight: MN Republicans Launch Effort To 'Save' Original State Flag

ST. PAUL, MN — The heads of the Minnesota Republican Party on Wednesday formally denounced the new state flag and announced their effort to "save" the original version.

"Minnesota’s state flag holds great historical importance and has united us by recognizing the people and events who helped create Minnesota," said Minnesota Republican Party Chairman David Hann.

"The flag the DFL eliminated was a version of the historic flag our regiments fought under during the Civil War. Minnesota was the first state to offer troops to the Union cause in 1861, beginning a long tradition of leading the nation in confronting injustice. The DFL quest to erase our history is repugnant and should be rejected."

Minnesota Republican Deputy Chairwoman Donna Bergstrom added "As a Native American and tribal member, it is exhausting to see Native Americans once again bearing the brunt of the short-sighted eradication of our shared history. Keeping the current flag would have been a powerful acknowledgment from the Walz Administration and the DFL that our Native contributions are valued. The new flag erases every trace of our contributions and every trace of us. With eleven federally recognized Tribes who call Minnesota home, the DFL flag design is an insult and an affront to the sacrifices and contributions we have made to our state.

Hann and Bergstrom said they're joining "a growing contingent of Minnesotans who have publicly denounced the new flag," citing the Crow Wing County Board's resolution formally rejecting the new flag.

However, they did not offer details of how they'll go about saving the original flag but did plug a website that includes petitions and t-shirts for sale.

The Democratically-controlled Minnesota Legislature is expected to formally approve the new flag during the upcoming legislative session.