Flag Protest at Stonewall National Monument
On Thursday, LGBTQ activists gathered at Stonewall National Monument, where an American flag was attempted to be taken down as officials returned the Pride flag, which had been previously removed by the Trump administration.
The removal of the Pride flag from this historic site in New York City, which honors the gay riots against police in the 1960s, sparked significant outrage.
People in the crowd shouted phrases like, “Get off!” and “Burn the American flag!” Alongside those, there were cries of “We will not be erased!” as noted by reports.
Local officials kept a low profile, choosing not to give a speech and leaving shortly after reinstating the Pride flag.
Frustrated by the flag’s placement below the U.S. flag, some activists took it down, later using zip ties to raise the Pride flag above it. One supporter expressed to WCBS-TV, “We’re reclaiming our space. This flag represents our diversity—something that cannot be taken away from our community. That’s precisely why we needed to elevate it once more.”
Another participant, Shep Wannon, remarked on how dramatic the events unfolded, noting that “Gays have this flair for drama.”
Chloe Ellentari, a transgender woman, spoke to a reporter, suggesting that the Trump administration was unfairly targeting transgender individuals to divert attention from other issues.
Under Trump’s order, all flags apart from the U.S. flag were mandated to be removed from federal buildings unless there was specific authorization.
Stonewall National Monument was established in 2016 by President Barack Obama to honor the riots as crucial in the LGBTQ rights movement.
In February 2025, many people expressed anger over the Trump administration’s removal of references to transgender and lesbian individuals from the monument’s signage. One organizer at the time said, “This blatant act of erasure distorts our history and dishonors the vital contributions of transgender individuals, especially transgender women of color who were pivotal during the Stonewall Riots and the larger LGBTQ+ rights fight.”
