March for Jesus flag at City Hall denied by Windsor council
A March for Jesus flag will not fly at Windsor City Hall this summer, after council voted down the request Monday night.
A group representing different churches went to city council last night to ask permission to fly the flag.
The flag is white with a red cross on a blue rectangle in one corner.
Council turned down the request, stating the flag violates the city's policy, which prohibits "flags deemed to be offensive in nature or those supporting discrimination, prejudice, political or religious movements."
The group organizing the "March for Jesus" in August wanted to fly the flag in the days leading up to the event.
"Our flag doesn't represent religion. It's a way we live," said Shirley Walsh, a pastor at Cutting Edge International Church. "Yes, I am disappointed, because we wanted to put the flag up. We desire to do that, to let the people of Windsor know that God loves them and we love them, let them know we're praying for them and our leaders."
Walsh said she will try again to fly the flag next year.
The march has been held in Windsor every year since 2009, and will take place this year along Ouellette Avenue on August 22.
The city will continue to allow a banner advertising the march to be suspended over Ouellette Avenue.
Giant Canadian flag approved
Earlier this year, city council unanimously approved plans to install an 18-metre wide Canadian flag along Windsor's riverfront in Dieppe Park.
The city agreed to set aside $25,000 for the project.
An additional $300,000 will come through fundraising for the pole and maintenance costs.
