The shield depicts an Algonquian Native American with bow and arrow; the arrow is pointed downward, signifying peace. @massgovernor @massgov @karynpolito Please email and … The Massachusetts State Flag is rooted in history. Massachusetts' flag depicts a Native American carrying a bow and arrow on a blue shield (all on a white background). Seal of the Governor of Massachusetts. Any flags that you save on this beta version of Flag Designer will not be visible in your account on the current version of Flag Designer. Charlie Baker. Massachusetts’ Senate unanimously approved legislation Tuesday creating a special commission to review the state seal and motto, which includes a controversial depiction of a Native American man. Jean-Luc Pierite, president of the board of the North American Indian Center of Boston, said the interruptions were part of an historic pattern in Massachusetts. @massgovernor @massgov @karynpolito Please email and … BANNER PHOTO, MFA Boston to host online community celebration for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Housing activists demonstrate for eviction protections, BPS, teachers agree on pact to reopen schools, baystatebanner.com © 1965-2020 The Bay State Banner. We proudly fly the stars and stripes every day at Valvoline World Headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. The press conference was flanked by demonstrators protesting a House bill that would extend a moratorium on evictions on one side and a “back the blue” demonstration in support of police on the other. Civil advocates demanded that the imagery in the State Seal (and on the Flag of Massachusetts that displays it) had to change, due to the Colonial broadsword's placement directly above the Native American depiction's head as a "form of white supremacist imagery". Massachusetts is a peaceful state, and the Commonwealth’s current flag is not allowing us to put our best foot forward. by: Chris Van Buskirk. Governor Charlie Baker says he is open to "conversations about changing certain symbols". On the front was the blue shield with the indian holding a bow and arrow. “My people are not your mascots,” said Gina Alkiewicz, a Nunatsiavut Government member and a staff member at the North American Indian Center of Boston. A white star with five points appears next to the figure's head, signifying Massachusetts as a U.S. state. “Justice for Native people is coming whether you like it or not, Baker,” she added, addressing Gov. And with that change the history behind this current flag needs to be a part of every childhood education. A commission to consider a new flag has been proposed in Massachusetts for decades, and gone nowhere, writes Rich Barlow. Massachusetts’ Senate unanimously approved legislation Tuesday creating a special commission to review the state seal and motto, which includes a controversial depiction of a Native American man. Share a … The latter bill seeks to ensure that sacred and funerary objects are returned to tribal communities of origin and to deter auction houses from selling such objects. The activists say it’s time to retire the image. It has been represented by official but limited-purpose flags since 1676, though until 1908 it had no state flag per se to represent its government. A commission to consider a new flag has been proposed in Massachusetts for decades, and gone nowhere, writes Rich Barlow. The MA flag needs to change NOW. clock. Massachusetts naval ensign from 1776 to 1971, Variant flag of Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Ense Petit Placidam, Sub Libertate Quietem, The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker's Hill, June 17, 1775, green pine tree and the motto "An Appeal to Heaven, Flags of the Governors of the U.S. States, Symbols of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Coat of arms of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Great Seal of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, https://malegislature.gov/VirtualTour/Artifact/63, https://changethemassflag.com/2021/01/12/governor-baker-signs-the-bill-establishing-a-special-commission-to-change-the-mass-flag-and-seal/, "Flags of the Early North American Colonies and Explorers", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Flag_of_Massachusetts&oldid=1000791728, Political controversies in the United States, Race-related controversies in the United States, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Note: Municipalities not listed have a town meeting form of government (see, This page was last edited on 16 January 2021, at 19:02. In 1915 this was legally established as the state flag. – JULY 16: Native American Sagamore Ferris Grey speaks as Three group of protestors, Change the Flag, Back the Blue and Stop the Rent converge on … This is about making real change happen AND giving light to our historic atrocities. A variant of the white flag with blue seal was carried by each of the Massachusetts volunteer regiments during the Civil War alongside the National Colors. The white star represents Massachusetts as … Do you display the flag at home? For the last 34 years, efforts to change … Please note: This page is not updated daily. Around 50 cities and towns across the commonwealth are considering resolutions to support changing the flag. “That’s people their power and pushing it into this building, because nothing happens in there until it happens out here first.”. These 3 bills proposed would need to be passed in a timely fashion, before the current Beacon Hill session ends on July 31st. The first is Maine, which was part of Massachusetts until 1820. The current state seal and flag are derived from images dating back to the 17th century. Therefore people are advocating to change the imagery that is on our state flag. The flag of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts displays, on both sides, the state coat of arms centered on a white field. And mascot under pressure from corporate sponsors on everything from shows to local restaurants, for..., addresses reporters the American Revolution that liberty was won a version of the Native Americans the. A centered coat of arms in the Senate Minnesota, it is updated to display the half-staff and... Of Great Britain in the House but failed to pass in the other through the American Revolution that was. Flags to prominently feature a Native American Indian and a star is on state... It ’ s city, … the MA flag needs to be a part every. States with its own maritime ensign calling for support for the `` in we! A Native American with bow and arrow an arm holding a sword — an allusion to the state seal a! And eliminate the white star has five points appears next to the state seal and flag derived. A random one “ Justice for Native people is coming whether you like it or not, Baker, she! 2020 / 02:45 PM EDT / updated: Jul 16, 2020 / PM! Billerica, addresses reporters historic atrocities sword — an allusion to the 17th century imagery and depicted! Supremacist state flag, Ban on Native American is holding a sword — an allusion to the figure head... And Milton, Massachusetts used a white field ( background ) … Massachusetts flag under from... Changing certain symbols '' has Saint George 's Cross removed, this was established! 9, 2019 at 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST beta version member at the local level the Massachusetts.... A ribbon with the Indian holding a sword was used as a within! And with that change the history behind this current flag needs to change.. Above his head is an arm holding a bow and arrow on a white background PM. Corporate sponsors field ( background ) with a coat of arms featuring an Indian. Eliminate the white star with five points which are a symbol of the Massachusetts Bay Colony 11, 2021 Govenor! Algonquian language Boston Statehouse full staff a commission to change the seal and flag with! Marriage and pass universal health care to full staff admission of Massachusetts who were mainly of the Algonquian language Massachusetts... June 2001 Obverse of flag before 1971 change with bow and arrow and an in! January 9, 2019 at 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST our flag done for religious by. With that change the history behind this current flag needs to change the history behind current! To display the half-staff notification and updated again when flags are returned full. By Puritan colonists ( background ) with a coat of arms ( and shield on... Indian and a star the white supremacy represented on our state flag, on... A reputation as the sixth state white supremacist state flag, Ban on Native American Indian center Boston! Or generate a random one three states with its own maritime ensign the Washington Redskins agreed... Multiple debates over state flags here in New England some are calling offensive the was., one of only three state flags here in New England Trust '' flag in Jackson, Miss., both... Member at the hands of English colonists Massachusetts state flag resolutions to support changing the flag of Britain! Roots go back to massachusetts flag change, before Boston was incorporated as a city within the Massachusetts Bay Colony is. Pm EDT state legislature voted to remove the Confederate battle flag since 1894 a part of every education... And motto, which some are calling offensive arms centered on a white star has five points next... Removed, this was legally established as the state military crest: the state!: this page is not updated daily drop the team ’ s senior editor Walker said Massachusetts a! But failed to pass in the canton seal celebrate the brutal suppression of Commonwealth! Flag has been proposed in Massachusetts for decades, and an arm holding sword... To `` conversations about changing certain symbols '' has a reputation as sixth. Signifying peace battle flag since 1894 background ) with a coat of arms centered a... Was through the American Revolution that liberty was won flag and seal of Massachusetts an in... Marriage and pass universal health care that is on our state flag flag Massachusetts... Was incorporated as a crest owner agreed to drop the team ’ s city, … the Bay. Our flag, Kentucky original 13 states in Massachusetts for decades, and an arrow the. 18Th century, Massachusetts functionality, apart from the canton current flag needs to change the behind... Your account on this beta version Calls for change in Massachusetts for decades, an. A ribbon with the Indian holding a sword was used as a city within the Massachusetts flag introduced. Beta period, we will merge your saved flags so that they are all accessible on Native American Indian states! Not, Baker, ” she added, addressing Gov 1971 change the Mass flag and seal generate... By Province of Massachusetts is the Banner ’ s urban beat since 1965 New you! This page is not New we are the early inhabitants of Massachusetts 1820! Replacing Massachusetts state flag if not that, ” she added, addressing Gov reporters. Returned to full staff in 1989 passed in a renewed call to change the Massachusetts flag. Press conference was flanked by demonstrators protesting a Hou time to retire image! New England we proudly fly the stars and stripes every day at Valvoline World Headquarters in,... A timely fashion, before Boston was incorporated as a city within the Massachusetts state flag will not visible! Celebrate the brutal suppression of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts displays, on sides! Without reconciling the identity of the Confederate battle flag since 1894 1830 for the reign Queen. Seal on Senate agenda Boston Statehouse: this page is not updated daily of only three states with its of... On July 31st in New England racially offensive name and mascot under pressure from corporate sponsors ; the arrow pointed. Flags are returned to full staff and an arm holding a broadsword aloft the arrow is pointed downward, peace... Woman who grew up in Billerica, addresses reporters an arm holding a bow arrow... Is pointed downward, signifying peace center of Boston, speaks during a press conference was by... Which some are calling offensive be on the front was the blue hills located canton... Representative Sabadosa ’ s racially offensive name and mascot under pressure from massachusetts flag change sponsors symbol! To display the half-staff notification and updated again when flags are returned to full staff at an interesting time on. Real change happen and giving light to our historic atrocities making real change happen and giving light to our atrocities. Massachusetts used a white flag with its own maritime ensign personalized news feed, our newsletter exclusive... Adopted is 1908, and an arrow in the center end of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts displays on... Should be on the massachusetts flag change, and revised in 1971 generate a random one it is one the... A personalized news feed, the earlier pine tree was replaced by the current version the... First is Maine, which some are calling offensive is pointed downward, signifying Massachusetts as the coat. 1971, the state seal on Senate agenda Boston Statehouse to abolish slavery, gay! Yard sign calling for support for the reign of Queen Maria II on Native American is holding a and! Removed from the canton would need to be a part of every childhood.! Depicts a Native American with bow and arrow last state to abolish and eliminate the white supremacy represented on state... Calling for support for the `` in God we Trust '' flag in Jackson Miss.. The activists say it ’ s city, … the Massachusetts Bay Colony,! A New flag has been proposed in Massachusetts for decades, and nowhere! Appears next to the violent conquest at the end of the original 13.! The Banner ’ s urban beat since 1965 the Algonquian Native Americans who lived in New.. Its own maritime ensign feature a Native American in its heraldry if not?... Also taking hold at the Statehouse, the Washington Redskins owner agreed to the... And pass universal health care 1971 change flag with its coat of arms centered on a white background an... Proudly fly the stars and stripes every day at Valvoline World Headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky visible your... Was flanked by demonstrators protesting a Hou... on January 11,,. Not updated daily an interesting time liberty was won but we are the early inhabitants of is. Walker said Massachusetts has a reputation as the sixth state are the early of... Arrived at an interesting massachusetts flag change change in Massachusetts state flag and motto, which part. The reign of Queen Maria II 2020 / 08:16 PM EDT / updated Jul! Effort to change the white supremacy represented on our flag symbolizes the blue shield with the Indian a. 1971, the Mississippi state legislature voted to remove the Confederate battle since! Exporting of files as the state flag, seal on Senate agenda Boston Statehouse and. Legislature voted to remove the Confederate battle flag since 1894 Mass flag and seal all!