50 Years of Struggle to Change the Flag and Seal of Massachusetts – – Now, Six Legislators Hold the Key

On May 23^rd, the Massachusetts Senate voted 30 – 9 on a budget amendment to change the flag and seal, tasking Governor Maura Healey with appointing a 10-member advisory committee – with at least two Indigenous members – to hold a public design process, make a final selection, hire a professional designer, and create a new flag, seal and motto for the Commonwealth, all within the next 12 months.

Last week, six legislators were named to the conference committee that will reconcile the House version of the budget with the Senate’s. These are the six legislators who will decide whether the flag and seal amendment will make it to the governor’s desk to be signed into law.

The FY’25 budget is supposed to be delivered by July 1^st.

Crunch Time for the Flag and Seal!

For more than 50 years, Indigenous leaders have been calling on us to change the flag and seal of Massachusetts.

With a concerted push, we can finally make that happen.

Please, take a few moments today to copy and paste the following brief message – including any personal comments you might like to add – and send it to the legislators (below) in whose hands the fate of the Senate amendment to change the flag and seal now rests.

Finally, and equally important, please forward this message to friends and supporters of racial justice and Indigenous rights anywhere in Massachusetts who might do likewise.

Thank you!

David Detmold, Changethemassflag.com, Montague

Here is simple language to include in messaging to these key legislators:

Please vote in favor of the amendment on the flag, seal and motto and the $100,000 funding contained in the Senate budget. Please ensure that both are part of the final FY’25 bill.

Here are the names, districts, and contact info for the six legislators named to the conference committee (Extra credit if you forward this message to friends who live in any of their legislative districts):