El Paso Republican Party flew U.S. flag upside down on Flag Day
El Paso Republican Party HQ on Flag Day. pic.twitter.com/1JzcFDjQhj
— Bob Moore (@BobMooreNews) June 14, 2021
EL PASO, Texas -- An effort by the El Paso Republican Party to make a statement by flying the U.S. flag upside down outside its headquarters on Flag Day has triggered some strong reactions across the Borderland.
The El Paso GOP has indicated they are disappointed with the country's current direction and felt the need to send a message with the upside down flag.
However, the act of flying the American flag upside down is considered by some veterans to be disrespectful. The U.S. Defense Department says on its website that Old Glory "should never be displayed upside down unless trying to convey a sign of distress or great danger."
Ray Baca, Chairman of the El Paso County Republican Party, said the local GOP intended their flag action to be a "sign of distress."
"We believe that is precisely what we are trying to convey, that this country is being led to destruction by a very small majority of vocal leftist extremists. In no way should our statement be seen as disrespecting our country, or our Veterans - many of whom have given their lives to protect the very freedoms that are being eroded by this government. I chose to make this statement to call loyal, conservative, freedom loving people to the aid of their country," he said in a statement to ABC-7.
A photo of the local GOP's upside down flag drew attention after it was tweeted Monday by El Paso Matters CEO and longtime Borderland journalist Bob Moore. While Moore himself didn't comment directly on the pic, plenty of his Twitter followers did. None defended the action and most were critical of it.
Here's a sampling of those Twitter reactions...
- "It made me angry but then hubby reminded me that he did a year in the sandbox of Iraq so idiots can fly the flag anyway they want," replied Katin Lexington.
- "Very unpatriotic, disloyal, and strong public statement," wrote Jose Gaston Barriga.
- "But they’re 'patriots'!" proclaimed Art.
- "I agree with them. That Party is definitely under Duress!" reacted Jaime Pinky.
- "Disgraceful and disappointing!" said Pedro De Leon.
- "I'm embarrassed for them," observed Sebastian.
- "Send a boy scout to fix it," suggested Kathy Gesley.
