At the April 16 meeting, the Susanville City Council unanimously passed Resolution No. 25-6423, which places a moratorium on city-sponsored proclamations and flag raisings. The resolution states that the city will no longer issue or present proclamations during council meetings and will only raise the American and California flags on city property.
The rationale behind this decision, as outlined in the staff report from City Manager Dan Newton, is to foster an inclusive environment for all citizens during City Council meetings. The council believes that certain proclamations and flag raisings can be divisive and may alienate community members from participating in local governance.
However, this resolution has drawn criticism, particularly from a representative of the LGBTQ+ community. Susan Zann expressed concerns that the moratorium contradicts the goal of creating a welcoming atmosphere. She recounted a positive experience from the previous year when the city supported a Pride event, which was well-received by the community. Zann emphasized that the current resolution sends a message of exclusion to marginalized groups, particularly young people who may feel unsupported.
She urged the council to reconsider its decision, highlighting that the actions taken by local government can significantly impact community morale and inclusiveness. Despite her heartfelt plea, the council proceeded to approve the moratorium unanimously.
