*This is reported by KTVB.
On Tuesday, Boise City Council members approved a resolution designating three flags, including the Pride flag, as official flags of the City of Trees.
The vote comes amid ongoing tensions between Boise Mayor Lauren McLean and the Idaho Attorney General over a new state law, House Bill 96, which regulates which flags local governments can display.
“A city should be able to put up flags at various times for whatever reason the community might want,” community member Patti Raino said, “and this is a community that supports, certainly pride. Has always supported pride.”
Hundreds of people showed up to rally in support of the city before the meeting started. About a dozen of those were protestors against the resolution — including Robert Coggins.
“I’m just a native Idahoan,” he said. “I feel like I do not have a voice, and this mayor does not let me have a voice. I think [the flag is] exclusionary. It doesn’t represent me.”
Council President Colin Nash, who sponsored the resolution, said it would help “memorialize” flags the city flies and ensure compliance with state law.
“It’s important for us, not only to communicate to any law enforcement that might be interested, but also to the public that we’re doing this out of a sense of duty, rather than defiance of the state legislature,” Nash said before the vote.
Nash added the flags represent the city’s values and responsibilities.
“This is our lawful expression of our dedication to ensuring all members of our community feel seen, respected, and welcome,” he said. “I think there is an expectation among the opponents of it, that the government should remain neutral in issues like this. I’m not neutral on defending marginalized neighbors.”
The resolution includes not only the Pride flag but also designates the blue City of Boise flag and the white organ donor flag honoring National Donate Life Month as official city flags.
City officials say the resolution acknowledges and formally ratifies that flags flown at Boise City Hall comply with Idaho state law.
The council meeting did not include public testimony on the resolution. During the council discussion, McLean reminded the public in attendance they could not speak after several members of the audience made comments towards the council.
The city announced last week, attorneys from Holland & Hart have volunteered to represent Boise pro bono if any legal action is taken against the city regarding this matter. The volunteer legal team includes Erik Stidham, Jennifer Jensen, Alex Grande and Anne Haws.
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