Pride flag re-raised at Stonewall National Monument in Greenwich Village, Manhattan, after being replaced by the American flag by the Trump administration. The flag was taken down under new guidance from the Trump administration, stating that only U.S. flags or flags authorized by Congress can fly at sites run by the National Park Service. Local leaders and the LGBTQ+ community re-raised the Pride flag, with community member Melissa Billinghay stating, 'Today, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies took their power back.' However, the Federal Government criticized the re-raising of the flag as a 'political stunt' and a 'distraction.' The U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees the National Park Service, released a statement criticizing the move. The monument was designated a national monument by President Barack Obama in 2016, becoming the first federal monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights. The Pride flag is a symbol of diversity and joy, and its re-raising has sparked debate about the role of government in preserving LGBTQ+ history and rights.
