A local government official in Iowa has said he would refuse to comply with orders from the Republican state governor to fly flags at half-staff in honor of rightwing political activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot on Wednesday.
Jon Green, the chair of the Johnson county board of supervisors in Iowa, announced on Thursday on social media that he would not follow governor Kim Reynolds’s directive to fly flags at half-staff for Kirk through Sunday evening.
The announcement from Green did say that Johnson county flags would fly at half-staff on Friday in remembrance of those killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks 24 years earlier.
“Johnson county flags will fly as usual,” Green added.
“Johnson county is home to a diverse community, including many who were the direct targets of Kirk’s rhetoric.
In remembrance of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot and killed on Wednesday, a local government official in Iowa has declared that he will not follow the Republican state governor’s orders to fly flags at half-staff.
Governor Kim Reynolds ordered the flags to be flown at half-staff for Kirk until Sunday night, but Iowa’s Johnson County Board of Supervisors Chair Jon Green declared on social media Thursday that he would not comply.
Regardless of who fired the gun or why, I condemn Kirk’s killing,” Green, a Democrat, wrote. However, I will not bestow Johnson County honors on a man who dedicated his life to disparaging numerous constituents that I have sworn to defend, and who did a great deal to damage not only the weaker members of society but also to undermine the foundation of our political system. “”.
Reynolds’ refusal to issue a similar order following other high-profile gun violence incidents served as the impetus for Green’s stance, he told the Gazette newspaper. Iowa, for example, failed to pay tribute to Melissa Hortman, the Democratic house speaker from Minnesota, who was shot dead at her home in June along with her husband, Mark, in what investigators believe was an act of political violence.
In honor of those who lost their lives in the September 11 terrorist attacks 24 years ago, Green’s announcement stated that Johnson County flags would fly at half-staff on Friday. Additionally, he honored two Evergreen, Colorado, high school students who were shot and injured on campus by a classmate who committed suicide the same day Kirk was killed.
“The flags of Johnson County will fly as normal,” Green continued. “I will take responsibility for my choice regardless of the legal or electoral repercussions. It is exclusively mine. “.”.
On social media, Reynolds reacted to Green’s decision by calling it “disgraceful that a locally elected official has chosen to put politics above human decency during a time like this.”.
Democratic Iowa state senator Zach Wahls, who represents portions of Johnson County, expressed his disapproval of Green’s decision to not lower the flags in a statement provided to the Des Moines Register.
Wahls stated, “I don’t think that’s the right decision,” and that they ought to follow the governor’s directives regarding this matter. “”.
Nonetheless, Green’s decision was endorsed by supervisor Mandi Remington, another Democratic member of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors in Iowa. “Even though I oppose political violence, lowering our county’s flags is an honor that should reflect our community’s values,” she told the Des Moines Register.
“Charlie Kirk dedicated his professional life to stifling women’s rights, excluding LGBTQ+ individuals, and dividing our nation along lines of exclusion and hatred,” Remington stated.
Many of the diverse residents of Johnson County were the specific targets of Kirk’s remarks. It would be disrespectful to our neighbors and constituents to fly our flags in his honor.
“Supervisor Green’s position demonstrates that our county will not support voices that seek to deprive people of their freedom, dignity, and sense of belonging. Respect for the residents of Johnson County and the constitutional principles we have vowed to uphold, in my opinion, are the foundations of this principled decision. “.”.
Green’s refusal to comply with Reynolds coincided with a concerted attempt to suppress critical remarks about Kirk, which resulted in job termination or disciplinary action for individuals throughout the United States.
Green told HuffPost that he is “entirely confident” that he has acted legally and that he has not met any requirements set forth by Iowa state law that would allow Reynolds to fire him.
“I can’t be removed from office by the governor,” Green told the outlet. She probably wouldn’t have posted on [social media] if she believed she had a legitimate reason to harm me. She would have sent the law on my behalf. “”.
