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08/25/2004 Archived Entry: "Muncie mayor ends U.S. flag ban"

Posted by steve @ 12:13 AM EST [Link]

MUNCIE MAYOR DECIDES TO STOP BEING HORSE'S REAR: After more than a little unflattering press attention and the fact that American soldiers are fighting in Iraq, the mayor of Muncie, Indiana announced Tuesday that he has lifted the city's ban on American flags in a city-run campground.

In an open letter to campers at Prairie Creek Campgrounds, Mayor Dan Canan said he was reversing his prohibition on all flags.

"I sincerely apologize to you for any inconvenience or stress this issue has caused," Canan wrote. "Men and women have fought and died for our flag and my decision was wrong."

Police officers distributed notices of the city's complete flag ban on Monday to those at the campground along Prairie Creek Reservoir about 10 miles southeast of Muncie. That order from Canan broadened a previous rule that had exempted the U.S. flag and POW/MIA flags.

Canan said Monday he had consulted with attorneys and decided to widen the ban to bolster the city's defense against a lawsuit filed by the Indiana Civil Liberties Union.

Canan, however, changed his stance following protests from campers and others.

"I now realize my decision was made in haste and was an error on my part," Canan's today letter said. "Since the issue of the memo I have painstakingly reflected on the issue surrounding the policy and I regret yesterday's action."

Read on.