
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">In responding to the criminal protestors and rioters plaguing New York City, Mayor Eric Adams commended students and Police officers for restoring the American flag on two campuses – where protestors had replaced with a Palestinian flag. It was part of a larger response by the NYPD to the illegal occupation of the grounds and buildings of local universities.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Amidst the chaos and violence of the protest, a group of college students broke out singing the National Anthem at the foot of the restored American flag. ; While there have been a lot to reports about campus disruptions &#8212; both from the criminal actions of many of the so-called protestors and the malignant cause they represent – there is value in digging a little deeper into the flag issue. ; That display of patriotism at those two universities was more than merely replacing one piece of cloth with another.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As I have written in the past, the Flag – along with the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance – are the symbolic representations of our unity, our very existence as a nation. ; They represent a commonality of cultural and social values. ; They represent an overarching culture that finds national unity even as there is vigorous debate on issues and policies. ; Disrespecting and demeaning the flag, the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance suggest that America is less of a nation and more of a collection of competing tribal interests. Can there be unity if there are no mutually respected symbols of that unity?</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Mayor Adams did more than an obligatory compliment for the students and police who restored the flags. He underscored the actions in a strong public statement. ; He said:</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><em>“My uncle died defending this country, and these men and women put their lives on the line – it’s despicable that schools allow another country’s flag to fly in our country. ; So, blame me for being proud to be an American, and I thank Commissioner Doughtry for putting that flag back up. ; We’re not surrendering our way of life to anyone.”</em></p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">One report referred to Adam’s comment as “shocking patriotism.” ; It is not entirely clear if that was meant as a compliment or a criticism. ; It was, however, an indication that if patriotism can be described as “shocking,” it is not in vogue in modern America – especially among the left-wing intelligentsia that runs the nation’s schools and media.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Kudos to Adams for drawing the distinction between patriotic Americans and the subset of American haters who we see protesting and rioting these days.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">So, there ‘tis.</p>

New York Mayor Adams raises the American flag
