Advocates Demand New Bedford Fly Palestinian Flag at City Hall

Local activist Erik Andrade said he asked the Mitchell Administration to fly the Palestinian flag in front of New Bedford City Hall in November 2023, about a month after the Hamas-led attack on Israel.

Andrade said his request was denied.

In a letter to Mayor Jon Mitchell, dated April 16, 2025 and published online by New Bedford Guide, Andrade said the request was first made "on behalf of a broad and diverse coalition of community members and organizations."

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According to Andrade, the coalition included the New Bedford Universalists Unitarian Church, United Electrical Workers Eastern Region, Jewish Voice for Peace (Boston and Rhode Island Chapters), Massachusetts Peace Action, Cape Codders for Peace and Justice, the Party for Socialism and Liberation, Rhode Island Democratic Socialists of America, and La Soul Renaissance.

Andrade claims the administration informed him that flag-raising requests were on hold pending a policy review. He said he has yet to receive policy information.

Given that flags are routinely raised at City Hall Square for such occasions as St. Patrick's Day, Greek Independence Day, Gay Pride Month and others, Andrade said the refusal to fly the Palestinian flag is "unjust" and "unconstitutional."

The Mitchell administration forwarded me its "Flag Policy," dated April 16, 2024, in an email.

READ MORE: City of New Bedford Flag Policy

Flags in addition to those of the United States, Commonwealth of Massachusetts and City of New Bedford can be raised at City Hall Square under the administration's revised policy, including the flags of "recognized foreign sovereign nations."

The U.S. government does not recognize a Palestinian state as a foreign sovereign nation, therefore the Palestinian flag cannot be raised.

Civic and philanthropic organization flags can be raised at City Hall, as can the Pride flag, which represents the LGBTQ+ community.

In an emailed response, New Bedford Public Information Officer Jonathan Darling said, "Flags displayed on the flagpole at City Hall express the City's sentiment. The policy adopted last year provides clear regulation."

"We have several flag-raising ceremonies planned for the remainder of the year, including the raising of the Portuguese and Cape Verdean Flags next month," Darling said.

Darling did not say if the administration plans to raise the Pride flag again this year. Pride Month is observed in June.

Andrade did not respond to several requests for comment.