The management of an apartment complex in Albany, Oregon wanted its tenants to stop displaying the American flag -- or any other flag or flag sticker, for that matter. No longer could tenants display Old Glory in their apartment windows, doors, or even from their cars and motorcycles parked on premises, according to reporting by KATU.com.
But the management today reversed itself, according to KCBY.com, which means tenants who wish to display their patriotism or support a relative in uniform by flying a flag needn't worry about eviction.
Tenants who had questioned the policy were reportedly told that the flags could offend people because they live in a diverse community.
But such a broad ban appears to violate a short, young federal law known as the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005. Signed into law by President Bush on July 24, 2006, the legislation's purpose is to "ensure that the right of an individual to display the flag of the United States on residential property not be abridged." Exceptions may be made for time, manner, and place restrictions if they're reasonable and needed to protect a "substantial interest" of the management company.
Do you think apartment dwellers should have the right to display the flag of their home country in their apartment exteriors and on their cars, if they wish? Should the law protect this?
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Comments
The tenants should absolutely be allowed to display our country’s flag. If people from other countries that are living in OUR country are offended, they need to go home to their own country. OUR COUNTRY, OUR FLAG. End of discussion!