The “Appeal to Heaven” or pine tree flag is in focus due to a dispute in New Hampshire. A Nashua woman formally requested to fly the flag on a flagpole outside city hall, but the mayor’s office refused to allow it, citing the city’s policy that a message will only be allowed if it is in harmony with messages the city endorses and wishes to express.
The Institute for Free Speech said the city’s position violates the First Amendment and censors free speech, and it’s supporting the woman’s lawsuit against the city in federal court.
The institute also said the city has allowed other cause-related flags to fly there, such as during Pride month.
In today’s political climate, the Appeal to Heaven flag has been surrounded in controversy. However, New Hampshire’s connection to the pine tree flag dates back to the Revolutionary War.
The pine tree flag is associated with resistance, and it is often a symbol seen with far-right movements. Flag-wavers have appeared at rallies for former President Donald Trump, and demonstrators waved it at the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
In addition, critics have called out U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito for flying the Appeal to Heaven flag at his vacation home in New Jersey.
Alito countered that his wife chose the flag as a tribute to George Washington and he was not aware of any connection between it and the far-right movement.
The woman in New Hampshire said it represents an important part of local history. She accused Nashua officials of trying to silence voices that they disagree with.
The matter will now head to the U.S. District Court in Concord.