Albany apartment complex bans American flags - Update: Flags Okay Again

Update (2:20 pm): ARRA News contacted KVAL News reporter Kim Quintero. She said the issue is resolved and the residents may fly their flags. Following are a few of her comments which she will share in her on-air evening KVAL news report: 'If people want to fly any flag of any nationality, it's their right' Flags are OK again at an Albany apartment complex after the property manager reviewed the policy and decided she didn't have the legal standing to ban flags from the exteriors of apartments and vehicles parked at the complex. "If people want to fly any flag of any nationality, it's their right," said Barb Holcomb with Oaks Apartments.

Holcomb said she received different legal counsel that led her to believe she is wrong to ban the flags. "When a tenant rents the unit, the inside of the unit belongs to the tenant," Holcomb said Wednesday. "All automobiles and things attached to the automobiles are the personal property of the tenant." "I made a policy. I was wrong," she said.
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By Melica Johnson KATU News and KATU.com: Apartment managers ban a lot of things, but in Albany, Ore., it is a ban on the American flag that has residents fuming. And if they don't take down their flags? Residents said they are threatened with eviction. Jim Clausen flies the American flag from the back of his motorcycle. He has a son in the military heading back to Iraq, and the flag - he said - is his way of showing support. "This flag stands for all those people," said Clausen, an Oaks Apartment resident. "It stands for the people that can no longer stand - who died in wars. That's why I fly this flag."

But to Oaks Apartment management, Clausen said, the American flag symbolizes problems. At the Oaks Apartments in Albany, the management can fly their own flag advertising one and two bedroom apartments - but residents have been told they can't fly any flags at all. Clausen was told to remove the red, white and blue from both of his rides, or face eviction.

Even long-time residents like Sharron White, who has flown a flag on her car for eight years, has been told to take it down. White said management told her that "someone might get offended." . . . management told them the flags could be offensive because they live in a diverse community.

The mother of one soldier fighting in Iraq put up a poster in her son's apartment window when she learned of the ban. Her son's roommate said he'll risk eviction to make sure it stays. Another Oaks Apartment resident, Judith Sherer, doesn't have a car. Instead she carries an American flag around the complex to protest the ban, and wonders if the flag pin she wears is next to be "singled out." The ban also includes . . . Even flag stickers on cars.

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Ozark Guru (a vet): What happened, isn't Oregon in the United States anymore? Diversity my backside! This America and Americans fly the American flag. What right does management have to tell people to remove American flags stickers from their cars and motorcycles. Also, Good job National guard mom - keep that sign in your window! Jim Clausen - ride on brother!

H/T TexasFred who had a few choice words and identified the address of the apartment:
FLAG OFFENDER: Oaks Apartments, 1440 Geary Cir SE, Albany, OR 97322-6823 - (541) 967-1284‎
Other blogs posting story (If you post a story - we will add your link - leave comment):
America's Watchtower -- GM's Place -- TexasFred -- Planck's Constant

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Tags: freedom of speech, Oregon, US, Flags, banning American flags To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. Thanks!