A planned Palestinian flag-raising ceremony at Regina City Hall has been abruptly canceled by outgoing Mayor Sandra Masters, sparking disappointment and debate among community members.
On Thursday afternoon, the City of Regina announced via email the cancellation of the event, which was scheduled for Friday, November 15. The email stated, "At the direction of Mayor Sandra Masters, the flag raising and ceremony for Palestine will not proceed." No specific reasons were provided for this decision, and inquiries from CBC News to the mayor's office for clarification went unanswered.
Raheela Agha, one of the event organizers, expressed her deep disappointment on social media after learning about the cancellation. Agha made it clear, prior to the event, she had coordinated with local police to maintain order and ensured no slogans, posters, or speeches were planned for the ceremony. She emphasized, "Our request was made to honour Palestine and its people, symbolized by the Palestinian national flag, not any organization or group." Agha believed the city would honor its earlier commitment to raise the flag on November 15, marking the anniversary of the Palestine Liberation Organization's declaration of independence in 1988.
The issue has garnered swift reactions from various advocacy groups and political entities. The advocacy organization Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East responded to the cancellation by describing it as disturbing, alleging the city capitulated to complaints from pro-Israeli lobby groups. Meanwhile, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs commended the decision, characterizing it as demonstrating "strong leadership and moral clarity" on the part of Mayor Masters.
Gustavo Zentner, the Centre's vice-president for Manitoba and Saskatchewan, commented, "We appreciate the swift response and strong working relationships with the administration of the City of Regina and Mayor Masters." The conflicting sentiments highlight the divisive nature of the issue surrounding the recognition and representation of Palestine within Regina and beyond.
The City of Regina's flag protocol specifies procedures for raising flags of other countries or organizations, necessitating online requests detailing the group's name and reasons for the flag-raising. Such requests must be assessed by the city clerk’s office to determine if they meet the established criteria. While the guidelines allow for commemorative celebrations of other countries' independence, applications from groups deemed "controversial, contentious or divisive" face rejection. Importantly, requests are approved barring any similar requests being made within the same year.
Interestingly, this cancellation follows Regina's earlier approval of the flag-raising for Israel's national day earlier this year. Agha pointed out this disparity, noting it starkly contrasts with the earlier ceremony for Israel, indicating potential unequal treatment. Community members and city officials are now considering whether the city's flag policy might need to be reassessed.
City council discussions earlier this summer brought up the issue as multiple delegations addressed the council after Israel's flag was flown at city hall on April 13-14 for its national day. Public calls for changes to the flag protocol led to the council's inquiry about potential restrictions, which was directed back to the city clerk for recommendations. Reports outlining various recommendations came back on September 25, indicating the city should limit flag-raising to international courtesy flags during visits from foreign nations, effectively banning regular celebrations of national days for other countries.
The cancelation of the Palestinian flag ceremony coincides with heightened tensions and violence following the recent incursion by Israel following the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas. This latest conflict has led to significant loss of life and displacement among civilians, increasing the stakes surrounding discussions about representation and recognition of the Palestinian cause.
The aftermath of the cancellation continues to spur discussions within Regina and beyond, focusing on free expression, community symbols, and the recognition of international issues through local governance. The shifting sentiment surrounding international conflicts and their representation within city borders points to the increasing complexity of civic engagement and expression amid polarizing global issues.
