A discussion over which flags should fly in down- town Plymouth during upcoming civic celebrations turned into one of the sharpest exchanges of Monday night’s Town Council meeting, as members clashed over history, symbolism and community identity.
Mayor Crystal Davis introduced the item as a discussion only, with no vote planned. Council member Micah Weathersbee quickly clarified that two distinct proposals were on the table.
“We’re talking about the Betsy Ross flag with the celebration of the 250th, and we’re also talking about Juneteenth flags,” Weathersbee said, noting that local Juneteenth organizers had been part of the conversation. “If we’re going to fly Betsy Ross flags for the 250th, why are we not flying Juneteenth flags as well?”
Davis raised cost concerns before pivoting to her broader objections to the Betsy Ross flag.
“We’ve had this conversation before in regards to the Betsy Ross flag and what it symbolizes as far as the 13 colonies and the racist impact on it,” Davis said. She cited hate groups’ adoption of the flag, corporate opposition — in- cluding Nike’s decision to pull a shoe featuring the design — and questions raised by the National Historical Society about the flag’s origins.
“In 1776, when this flag was established with the 13 colonies, how does it relate to African Americans?” Davis asked. “That is why I voted against it last time because of how offensive it is. It doesn’t represent my people.”
Weathersbee pushed back, arguing the flag’s connection to the 250th an- niversary celebration was rooted in national history rather than exclusion.
“The 250th is celebrating the fact that our country, based upon freedom of religion, is celebrating 250 years,” Weathersbee said. “Betsy Ross was a Quaker. She didn’t have anything to do with slavery.”
Davis rejected that framing. “The flag is not about religion. We’re talking about 1776 when she made the flag. In 1776, we were still slaves. That flag did not exist for African American people...”