The legislative body of Utah has agreed to a procedure prohibiting the display of all the flags approved in schools and government buildings, which is an exciting step that the civil rights groups said will undermine freedom of expression for members of LGBTQ and their supporters.
the MeasureAnd, which has become a law on Thursday, only allows flags to be exempted from the ban – including the US flag, Utah state flag and military flags -. Other flags, such as pride and those who support political reasons, will be prevented from transferring them to government buildings.
The new law is one of the most restricted country by a state that governs the view of flags, while it has become a significant discussion that greatly focuses on pride and other expressions to support LGBTQ.
Other states, such as Idaho, have made restrictions on the display of flags in schools, while the legislators of Florida are considering looking at similar proposals. Supporters of this measure framing them as a way to make schools and government buildings less political.
“The entities funded by taxpayers should not enhance political business schedules,” Trevor Lee, the Republican legislator who sponsored the draft law, should not enhance, He said on social media Friday. “This is a tremendous victory over Utah.”
in letter On Thursday, state governor Spencer Cox, a Republican, said he had “serious concerns” about the bill. He said that he allowed him to become a law without signing it because the veto will be overcome.
“Parents are truly annoyed when they bring their children to the school -funded schools and see the symbols of the cultural war in a place that must be political,” he said, adding that he supported “political neutrality” in the classroom.
Under the law, flags that represent any political affiliation will be banned, but Mr. Lee will be banned I have previously allocated the flags of pride. Violations of law, which is effective on May 7, will lead to a fine of $ 500 per day.
Rights in Utah state protested the draft law, describing it as an attempt to suppress the political dispute and self -expression.
Utah Pride Center He said on social media On Friday, it was a “profound sadness” to see the draft law become a law.
“We admit pain, frustration and fear that many in our society feel at this moment,” the center said. After the state’s Senate approved the draft law, the center called it a “deliberate attempt to erase LGBTQIA+ vision from the public domain.”
The center, which organizes the annual Utah Pride Festival, was planning a gathering to celebrate the severity of transgender people on the steps of Capitol Utah on Saturday, and said it will separate a copy of the transgender mark on an area of 200 feet and 30 feet.
Equality Utah, a group of supporting, He said It has pressed for the language in the draft law that confirmed protection from discrimination for students. The group successfully sought to remove a item from the draft law, which would allow parents to prosecute teachers about the flags presentation.
“It puts a dangerous precedent, the state can silence the rights of local governments speech and make the bill constitutionally suspected,” said Utah. “We LGBTQ UTAHNS. This is our home. This is our country. We don’t go anywhere.”
The American Civil Liberties Union in Utah state urged the ruling state of A. letter This month has a veto against the bill.
The American Civil Liberties Union said: “The government should not be in the field of blocking symbols that help people feel vision and welcome,” adding that teachers, school councils and local governments should enjoy freedom in determining what reflects their behavior.
Mr. Cox called on legislators to review the law, saying that its application on local governments went away, and that the focus on banning flags will not maintain other political offers, such as stickers, marks and graphics, outside the classroom.
“All this bill is to add more fuel to the fire,” he said.
