By Suzie Ziegler
DENVER — A Colorado police chaplain is now allowed to fly a ‘thin blue line’ flag outside his house after his homeowner’s association had demanded he take it down.
According to KDVR, the chaplain said his HOA sent him a letter in June demanding he take down what the letter called “the white lives matter flag,” or he would be fined. Later, the HOA changed course and sent him a letter admitting to wrongfully demanding the flag’s removal.
“I’m feeling great,” said the chaplain, who asked KDVR to keep his identity anonymous for his family’s safety. “This is a huge win for law enforcement. This is for all the police officers. I sure hope every police officer out there sees this as a big win for them, that they continue to do a wonderful job and they are supported.”
According to KDVR, the news outlet’s initial coverage of the demands received nationwide attention, catching the eye of the National Police Association. The NPA hired a high-profile Denver attorney to represent the chaplain.
“It’s very rare you get a homeowners association to admit fault, but they did here, and thank goodness for it,” Attorney Craig Silverman told KDVR. “Certain principles survive in this country, including the right of my client to fly the flag he prefers. I’m glad for him. He has every right. I’m glad the HOA backed down.”
The HOA’s new letter, obtained by KDVR, reads in part: “The board has determined that there was no violation and that the letter was sent in error.”
While the chaplain and his attorney hoped for a stronger apology, Silverman says the letter was “pretty close” without actually saying ‘I’m sorry.’
“Bottom line is my client as a homeowner has a right to fly that flag,” Silverman said. “It’s not bothering anybody any more than the Black Lives Matter signs that permeate his neighborhood.”
The chaplain tells KDVR he just wants to show support for the good men and women he works with in law enforcement. He says that others are starting to do the same.
“Incidentally, I was out of town for a while. I have to tell you a few more thin blue line flags have sprouted up in my neighborhood,” he said.