Camp Constitution Denied A Permit to Fly Christian Flag in Boston But Chinese Communist Flag Okay

Camp Constitution  was denied a permit to raise the Christian flag on Boston’s City Hall Plaza. Hal Shurtleff, the camp’s director and co-founder, applied for a permit back in late July. After several follow up E-mails, and phone calls, he was finally told by a city official Tuesday (September 5) that the permit was denied without an explanation. Shurtleff, a life-long resident, U.S. Army veteran and a member of Sons of the American Revolution, explained that during one of his follow up phone calls to the city, he was told that it was “his right to fly the flag” and that the city official couldn’t understand what was taking so long to grant the permit.

The event was planned for a Thursday in late September. The ceremony would have included short presentations by clergy members, a brief historical overview of Boston- “the city set on a hill”, and the raising of the flag. Confirmed speakers included Rev. Steven Craft, an instructor at Camp Constitution’s annual family camp and a member of its speakers bureau, and Pastor William Levi, formerly of the South Sudan, and now a U.S. citizen living in Western Massachusetts. Rev. Craft’s topic was racial reconciliation.

Shurtleff mentioned that dozens of organizations including Columbians, Haitians, Ukrainians, Mexicans, supporters of Communist China, Black Nationalists, and Transgenders raise their flags. Shurtleff believes that the decision to deny the permit was ideologically motivated. “Camp Constitution has been setting up information tables on Boston Common for years without a problem. We distribute free copies of the U.S. Constitution, and we have been well received by folks on both sides of the ideological spectrum,” Shurtleff said.

For more information please visit www.campconstitution.net

Rev. Steve Craft