HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-07-25 Public Comment - C. Anders - Bozeman City FlagFrom:Chase Anders
To:Bozeman Public Comment
Cc:Sarah Anders
Subject:[EXTERNAL]Bozeman City Flag
Date:Monday, July 7, 2025 8:15:07 AM
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Good Morning Mayors and Commissioners,
Im a resident at 1543 Ryun Sun Way in Bozeman. Tomorrow you will see an influx ofactivists pressuring you to revisit the adoption of the pride flag for the cities flag.
Im writing to encourage you to oppose this pressure. Please remember Government neutrality
is not hate - it’s fairness. Public property and city flags should not be used to promote identity-based or political causes. Bozeman’s focus should be on essential services, not symbolic
activism.
The question of civic neutrality hinges on how we define the role of public spaces. Displayingany flag can be seen as endorsing a specific social movement, which introduces a political
element into shared civic spaces. A neutral stance does not negate anyone’s existence. It aimsto ensure that no group’s values are elevated above others in public settings. It is about
maintaining a space where all citizens feel equally represented. The answer to a polarizedclimate is not louder symbols - it is restraint, humility, and a return to the core responsibilities
of governance.
If Bozeman adopts the “pride” flag as an official city flag, it would be seen by many asundermining the rule of law, which itself is a cornerstone of trust in governance. Bozeman
should uphold both the letter and the spirit of HB 819. Trust in our local government isextremely fragile, and to adopt the “pride” flag as an official city flag goes against the
Commission’s priority to foster and build public trust, support, and pride in local government.Labeling state laws as discriminatory or unconstitutional is a serious charge that requires clear
evidence, and if they truly believe this, then they should follow the proper legal channels tofight it, not undermine it.
This is not about hate. It is about principle. I oppose this proposal out of a deep respect for the
role of local government and a desire to keep our city institutions grounded in shared civicvalues. I ask that the City Commission demonstrate leadership not by provoking further
division, but by choosing the path of unity, and focus on the things that they’ve been elected todo - focus on public safety and infrastructure. You can advocate for your personal beliefs in
your own time, not use your positions of power to advance your personal ideologies. This is anecessary boundary that protects the rights of every Bozeman resident to feel equally
represented by their government, regardless of personal beliefs, identities, or affiliations.
Best Regards,
Chase Anders