Hochul Signs Law that Prohibits Symbols of Hate on Public Property Owned by Taxpayers

     After two Confederate flags were displayed by fire departments in New York state: one on a Long Island firetruck during a parade and a one in the window of a Nassau County fire department, state legislators created a bill that prohibits any municipal corporation such as fire districts, volunteer fire departments, police departments, and school districts from selling or displaying symbols of hate.

     “Shockingly, there was no law on the books saying you couldn't use public property as a platform for hate in NY: until now,” tweeted state Sen. Anna M. Kaplan, who co-sponsored the bill along with Assemblymember Michaelle Solages.

     "The recent and disgusting rise in racist and hateful behavior will never be tolerated in New York," said Gov. Hochul, who today signed the bill that prohibits the display of hateful images. "Symbols of hate have no use other than to spread ignorance and incite violence.

     “As New Yorkers, we must remain united and actively fight to eradicate these attitudes.”

     New York’s new law extends similar legislation that former Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed in 2020 that banned displaying symbols of hate or any similar image on state properties.

     The term “symbols” includes, but is not limited to, symbols of white supremacy, neo-Nazi ideology, and the Confederate battle flag.

     “A symbol of hate [should n]ever be on display: let alone by a police or fire department charged with protecting their communities,” said the governor, who added that the new law bolsters the state’s efforts to reduce hateful attitudes.  “We aren't only doing away with this deplorable behavior, but we are also ensuring that all New Yorkers, no matter what their backgrounds or identities, feel welcome in their communities.”

     “You would think it was common sense that taxpayer-owned property couldn't be used as a platform for hate, but shockingly there was no law on the books saying so: until now,” said state Sen. Kaplan. “Public property belongs to all of us, and this measure is critical to ensure that our public property isn't being used to promote hatred.”

     “Our state is home to one of the most diverse populations in the world, and no New Yorker should have to interface with symbols of hate when engaging with their local governmental agencies,” said Assemblymember Solanges.