In a contentious meeting last Tuesday, the Stockton City Council ended in a three-to-three tie on the decision to raise the Pride flag at City Hall in recognition of Pride month. The decision to fly the flag was brought to the table by District 2 councilmember Dan Wright. He explained that he contacted the city clerk's office on May 22 to ask if the Pride Center had made arrangements for the Pride flag to be displayed at City Hall for the entire month.
The proposal to raise the Pride flag was met with opposition by Councilmembers Michele Padilla, Michael Blower, and Mayor Kevin J. Lincoln II. Padilla and Blower expressed their belief that the American flag represents every citizen.
Padilla said, “On our American flag are stars and stripes stand for liberty, freedom, and love of our country. I completely support Pride and I support what it represents, however I feel at a time right now that we spend a lot of focus on national identity politics.”
Wright, along with councilmembers Brando Villapudua and Vice Mayor Kimberly Warmsley, were in favor of flying the Pride flag. Wright noted that the Pride flag had flown at City Hall for the past four years following unanimous support from the City Council.
Mayor Lincoln II closed the council's comments, suggesting that the city's flag display policy, which was written nearly four years ago, should be revisited for clarity.
Following the tie vote, Wright moved to add the item to the next meeting's agenda, which was seconded by Villapudua. The motion was approved with a unanimous 6-0 vote. District 4 councilmember Susan Lenz was not in attendance at the meeting and did not vote.
WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK
