Upside Down American Flag Drew Protestors to the Turkish-American Community Center
Police are investigating a complaint that the incident was a case of theft and vandalism against the center.
Editors' Note: This article was updated on Saturday, May 14, to include the most current and complete details available as well as correct an incomplete reading of the official U.S. Flag Code as cited in earlier accounts.
Angry residents demonstrated outside the Turkish-American Community Center on Tuesday, May 10 at 9 a.m. to protest the earlier presence of a tattered, upside down American flag, flying from a pole in front of the building. Protestors waved large American flags in front of the center, prompting passing motorists to honk their horns. Manalapan police said they are investigating the incident as a case of theft and vandalism against the center.
The Turkish American Community Center has released a statement about the incident, disavowing responsibility and describing the offending flag display as the result of vandalism against their organization.
Manalapan Police Captain Christopher Marsala verified that the police were called to the Turkish American Community Center at 10:58 a.m. on Tuesday, May 10. Initially, no police report was filed.
"At that time, we were not made aware that the flag had been stolen and replaced with a tattered one," Capt. Marsala said. "I have since spoken with the TACC and confirmed that their US flag was stolen and we are now making this a theft investigation."
Kim Jessome, a Clarksburg resident, said she first noticed the overturned flag as she was driving past the center on Rt. 33 in Manalapan on Monday, May 9. Jessome contacted her neighbor, Betty Bailey, who quickly drove to the center with her husband Bob to verify Jessome’s statement.
Mrs. Bailey said she took numerous pictures of the inverted and tattered flag and emailed them to several media outlets. She said that she did not blame the president of the Turkish-American Community Center, Mehmet Reyhan, adding that he told the protestors on Tuesday that he was unaware of the upside down flag and was not involved in placing it there. "I don’t think he did it," she said. "He came and faced us this morning. They have been hanging our flag correctly for the past 25 years.”
Mrs. Bailey also said that police officers told protesters that flying an upside down American flag, is a legal exercise of free speech. According to the official U.S. Flag Code, “The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property." This language inspired some in the 1960's to fly American flags upside down as a protest against the Vietnam War, signifying their belief that the war was placing the nation in distress.
The Bailey’s, of Clarksburg, said they are members of Republican Club of Millstone Township and found the upside down flag display offensive. However, Mrs. Bailey said, “It doesn’t matter whether you are Republican or Democrat, I would’ve done this anyway, no matter what. We can’t let people be complacent about this stuff, it’s gotta get out.”
Other protesters insisted that the club was at fault. “They knew what was going on -- they’re not stupid,” Kim Jessome said, describing an exchange early Tuesday between demonstrators and a man apparently in charge of groundskeeping at the club. “I asked him if he was born American or if he is an immigrant," she said. "If you are Turkish-American born, you should be ashamed of yourself, and if you are an immigrant you should be deported, do not pass go. Go do this in another country,” Jessome said she told the man. “There is no middle line here.”
While some witness accounts appeared to suggest that the same man also removed the offending flag at 8:45 a.m. on Tuesday, Michael Schwenk, a VFW commander who lives in Manalapan, credited its removal and replacement to a man from Brick, at approximately 8:30 a.m. In either case, the replacement may have added to the debate over proper flag etiquette because the replacement flag was raised on the center pole, between the two Turkish flags. The center placement initially prompted some confusion, since appropriate placement can vary according to circumstance, under the U.S. Flag Code. However, the code also requires that worn or damaged flags, like the one flown upside down at the center, should be replaced and burned in a proper disposal ceremony.
“Besides it being upside down, it was all torn and tattered and you’re not supposed to fly a flag that’s torn and tattered," Schwenk said. "You are supposed to take them and it’s supposed to be burned. They let it fly. Somebody put that flag up that way. Their [Turkish] flags were brand new -- shiny brand new flags. Our flag looked like hell.”
Millstone Township Mayor Nancy Grbelja also appeared at the center on Tuesday morning to show her support for the protest. Referring to the upside down flag, she said, “Well, if it’s a sign of disrespect I am certainly not happy with it. Certainly in my position as mayor I’m committed to the United States, our American flag, and everything that our country stands for. And it’s upsetting to me to have people be disrespectful to our values and to the United States -- especially now, when we have people that are risking their lives overseas to protect our freedoms.”
With respect to the Turkish American Community Center, Jessome said, “I kind of feel sorry for the president of the club because all of this is being thrown in his lap. But, as president of this community center, he should have full knowledge and control over what’s happening.”
Mehmet Toy
3:44 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
No Turkish American will ever be distrespectful to our flag. This is done by those who are not Turkish-Americans. This is done by those who hate Turkish-Americans and want to damage the good image of Turkish Americans in this country. We expect the police to find those damaged Turkish-American Community Center and positioned our flag upside down.
Freehold VFW Post 4374
12:22 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Find out who had access to all the flags because what criminal would also hang the 2 other flags?This is an internal problem so if you want to prove you are a good American find out who had the keys to where the flags where kept and bring him or her to justice.
Pattie
5:23 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Just saw in the news that Sunday Turkish demonstrators (in Turkey) were burning American flags and declaring Bin Laden a martyr. It was no accident that our flag was upside down.
Al
6:38 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Hello my Fellow Americans, Should we act like an American who makes sense, cool, fair and logical? These people have been honorable members of our community for decades without any lack of respect to anyone but friendship and sincerity. Is it possible that someone old put the flag up sometime late afternoon/early evening without noticing it is upside down? Do we realize that Turkey has been a staunch American and NATO ally over 60 years in a region where we don't have any friend but Turkey? Have you read about Korean War and American Army Division saved by their comrades, Turkish Soldiers, fighting for the same values. It is so disturbing to see the depth/shallowness of a few Jerseyans who don't read/hear what they write/say about Turkish-Americans. Be cool and a true American, first. Don't rush to a wrong and unfair way without thinking. God bless!
Liz
7:42 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011
There is NO excuse for disrespecting the American Flag. I dont Believe for a second that this happened in human error If that was the case why did it take at least 24 hours for it to be taken town ....I DONT care who did it, someone from the Turkish -American Group should have taken noticed right away & fixed it....
SHAME on them & anyone that thinks its ok....Glad it was FINALLY taken down this evening ( tues)
Freehold VFW Post 4374
12:17 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
So we are left with a few questions what happened to the tattered Flag was it properly disposed of ?The VFW will gladly take it off there hands. Also the criminal that did this got into there building and had access to all of their Flags. So lets not blame them all but they do have a 10% rule.10% of them do not like what America stands for and or are sympathetic to Osamas beliefs so maybe they should do some house cleaning of their own at least change the locks so everyone does not have a key.
For those that do not like America remember you can leave, do not spend all your free time bashing America ,Many of us find this Country to be the Greatest in the World thats why so many come to our shores welcome, Please remember to leave if you do not like it.
Brian Sullivan
7:50 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The first post should be deleted, that is very inappropriate and does not belong in any forum with civil discussion.
Jacklyn Corley
10:03 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
The comment has since been removed.
John Lee
7:52 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
I find it amusing that the VFW guy hoisted a flag incorrectly - that really speaks of the intolerance and hatred that is at the bottom of all of this.
freeholdvfw4374
9:53 am on Friday, May 13, 2011
How and when did the VFW hang the Flag wrong ?We never touched the Flag and when its up correctly it will be on the right or the left hand side as you look at it. Its people like you with out the correct info the makes this worse than it is.
Lynn Esquire
11:00 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Dear Editor,
You need to update your story. The center itself was vandalized, with damage inflicted on the property, when the American flag was turned upside down. Those who vandalized the center most likely also flew the U.S. flag upside down.
The disproportionate reaction exhibited by some to this incident makes one wonder if they had a hand in all of this.
Why didn't these same residents react in a neighborly way and call the center to ask why the U.S. flag was being flown upside down and/or request that it be corrected? The center has flown the U.S. flag respectfully for 25 years. Why immediately presume evil intent when it could just as likely be some kind of a prank pulled off by high school kids?
Something smells rotten here...
Katrina Rossos
11:14 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
This article is about the immediate response of the community to the overturned flag, with comments from the protestors. Response from the TACC about what occurred on their property is located within a separate article which can be read here: http://patch.com/A-hsB2. The incident is still being investigated and I will update the story with additional information as I receive it.
Brian Sullivan
11:33 am on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Katerina,
Very good response. When dealing with a contentious issues like this it is important for all people to remember that opinions will be formed based on what info is available at the time . With that in mind, it is important to continue to bring new info out and continue with civil discussions.
Robert
7:00 pm on Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Turkish Americans are very proud Americans. Turkish people have a deep respect for the flag of any nation and is a part of school curriculum. Note, that Turks in the US are often targetted and demeaned by the strong Armenian Assemblies which regularly incite hatred against Turks through their network of Armenian associations. They even use church groups to display Turks as villians as if they are still figthing and ancient war. Many Turkish targets have been attacked by Armenians in the last 40 years. Recently they have been supporting a pro-Marxist terror group, the PKK which has affiliiates worldwide that act in concurrence with the Armenian American Lobby. A sceptic can only guess why a Turk would be insande enough to put up an American flag upside down in an American based organization. Since it was done early, i would check video footage for the culprit and have them prosecuted. Turks and Americans have a strong friendship and common mission since the Cold War but religious fanatics and ethnic hatemongers often try to derail this...
Lynn Esquire
10:27 am on Thursday, May 12, 2011
Dear Editor,
Thank you for your reply and for providing an updated and more complete set of facts.
It would be interesting to know how these same residents, including the Mayor who is supposed to represent all her constituents (including Turkish-Americans who are U.S. citizens), responded when they learned that this incident was a result of vandalism, which it seems, may have been intended to provoke such a response towards a group of citizens with a specific national origin. If that is the case, this would be more than vandalism, but also a very underhanded form of hate crime.
I hope you will continue to follow up as the police investigate and let us know if they are able to identify who did this.
Kathleen McBride
10:51 am on Thursday, May 12, 2011
I'm sure that while not everyones views at the Turkisih were reflected in the inverted flag, it obviously reflected some. I remember seeing quite a bit of this after 9/11. There will always bee radicals. I'm actually surprised that we haven't seen more of a backlash since Bin Ladens death. I'm sure that there will be more than this in repercussions. I think we need a much tougher immigration policy. Why are we allowing known terrorists on our country and on our planes? And if you despise us so much, why are u here? America is not perfect. But we have helped more people around the world than any other country. We continue to do so, even when our own deficit is mind boggling. And for the most part, we get very little respect or appreciation for our good intentions. Maybe we need to just focus on us for awhile and start deporting people who are not our friends.
Grizzly Bear Mom
5:35 pm on Friday, May 13, 2011
As a disabled veteran I believe that I demonstrated my commitment to flag and country. Old Glory is merely representative of our freedoms, not the freedoms, which include it being anti American to prohibit anti American speech including flying the flag upside down as protest.
In this case the Turkish American Community Center (TACC) was the victim of a hate crime to dishonor it, and perhaps set up to incur the wrath of the community. If this had happened at the (Catholic) Knights of Columbus or Jewish temple no one would have assumed they were disrespecting the U.S. Do those organizations even fly the U.S. flag?
I am repulsed that no one called the center to question why the flag was flying upside down, instead called the press, and question their intentions. An investigation would have revealed that the Turkish-Americans didn't fly it that way. It's shameful this misleading article was allowed to be published; and that locals reacted toward the center like they did. The Turkish-AMERICAN grounds keeper corrected the flying of the flag.
THIS is their country. They are home here in a way that those of us born to freedom and opportunity can never fully appreciate.
Grizzly Bear Mom
5:43 pm on Friday, May 13, 2011
Another of our superlative American rights is being innocent until proved guilty. No one had the right to condemn the TACC until the evidence is in, or criticize them before learning U.S. code and the customs and courtesies concerning the flag. Several of the comments made and actions demstrate are disrespectful in themselves. See U.S. Code Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8.
This newspaper should apologize to the center for printing such a one sided article and print a retraction.
I am heartsick that people showed greater respect for the symbol of our freedoms that the freedoms of our brothers and sister of the Abrahamic faith.
Fred Tuccillo
11:51 am on Saturday, May 14, 2011
As promised by Manalapan editor Katrina Rossos, this article has been updated this morning to reflect the most current and complete information available about this incident as well as correct an incomplete reading of the official U.S. Flag Code as cited in earlier accounts. The full text of the flag code, as linked from this article, is especially enlightening, especially to those who may not be as well-informed about proper flag etiquette as members of our local veterans' organizations. We appreciate and welcome their guidance on such questions.