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‘Thin Blue Line’ flag given to Md. police won’t be displayed

Officials say the flag will not be publicly shown because of its ‘divisive’ nature

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A ‘Thin Blue Line’ flag given to Md. police officers as a gift in recognition of National First Responders Day will not be publicly displayed.

Photo/Montgomery County Police Department

Police1 Staff

GERMANTOWN, Md. — Montgomery County police say a wooden American flag gifted by a local child won’t be publicly displayed.

The department initially said in a tweet that the “Thin Blue Line” flag would be displayed at the 5th District station for National First Responders Day.

https://twitter.com/mcpnews/status/1189556654494408705

However, the department later tweeted a message from Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, who said the flag will not be displayed because it is “divisive.”

https://twitter.com/mcpnews/status/1190457719746109441

“The flag provides a symbol of support to some but it is a symbol of dismissiveness to others,” the tweet reads. “Because it is divisive, the flag will not be posted at the 5th District nor in any public space within the Police Department.”

[Read: 3 things to consider before you raise a Blue Line flag]