What's Up With That?

The flag display along Prince William Street at the intersection of Liberty Street is made up of flags from different countries that usually stand tall and ripple in the wind, but recently you may have noticed some of the flags lying on the ground.

The owner of the land and the display, Gaudencio Fernandez, told InsideNova.com vandals were responsible for the flags being on the ground, but the city says the flags appeared to have fallen because of "metal fatigue."

As a result, Fernandez was issued a work order to repair, replace or remove the display to comply with the city's property maintenance code.

Fernandez said it is not the first time vandals have struck his property and the city continues to "harass" him instead of going after the culprits who have been trespassing on and destroying his personal property.

Fernandez erected 48 flags representing different countries at the site in 2009 after purchasing the property in 2003. He said despite filing several police reports dating back to 2007 for destruction of his property, there has been little action by police.

“The City of Manassas can place an injunction to me. You can take all my constitutional right, including freedom of speech. You will never take my dignity and will to seek equality and justice, regardless of color,” Fernandez told InsideNova.com.

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