Activists Raise 'Appeal to Heaven' Flag at Boise City Hall on Easter Sunday
By Local Yocal Idaho Staff
Activists David Pettinger and Casey Whalen rose early on Easter Sunday to change Boise City Hall's flags, part of the ongoing defiance of Idaho state law. The conservative activists placed the historical "Appeal to Heaven" flag on the flagpole while removing the Pride flag that has been at the center of recent controversy and an organ donation flag (1)(2).
The pre-dawn operation, captured on video and shared on social media, was a byproduct of citizens' frustration with Mayor Lauren McLean's continued refusal to comply with House Bill 96, which went into effect April 3rd (3). The law clearly restricts flags flown on government property to a specific list, including U.S., state, military, and tribal flags.
The "Appeal to Heaven" flag, which has roots in the Revolutionary War as an official Massachusetts state flag, is technically permitted under HB 96 as an official state flag (1)(2). Mayor McLean personally responded by removing the Appeal to Heaven flag and reinstating the original flags later that morning.
Attorney General Raul Labrador previously sent McLean a letter urging compliance with the law, noting that while enforcement mechanisms are currently limited, lawmakers stand ready to implement stronger measures in the future (4)(5).
For a comprehensive breakdown of HB 96, check out our Idaho Bill Breakdown on it, and for continued coverage on this story and others, tune into our Midweek Report and here, where we explore this issue from a conservative perspective.