Palestinian flag to be raised at Providence City Hall
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The Providence City Council said that the Palestinian flag will be raised over City Hall on May 16.
A spokesperson for the council said the flag raising would be “one of many similar events the city does to celebrate countless cultures and communities” and was done at the request of the city’s Palestinian-American community.
They added that Council President Rachel Miller and Councilor Miguel Sanchez would both speak at the event.
You’re invited to a Palestinian flag raising at City Hall this Friday, May 16! Elected officials and community members will deliver remarks on the steps out front at 12 pm. Join us! pic.twitter.com/SeggPQvS1b
— Providence City Council (@pvdcitycouncil) May 14, 2025
Mayor Brett Smiley’s office said the flag raising was “at the request of the City Council and two constituents.”
The Providence Young Republicans said they “strongly condemned” the flag raising and said that it was “inappropriate and deeply disappointing.”
“City Hall is a civic institution representing all residents of Providence, and it should remain a place of unity – not international controversy,” the organization said. “The only flags that belong on official city flagpoles are the flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of Rhode Island.”
