Why is Illinois Home Flying American Flag Upside Down

Have you ever driven through a Rockford neighborhood and caught sight of an American flag flying upside-down? It's a sight that can leave you scratching your head, wondering what message the homeowner is trying to convey.

Without knocking on their front door and asking questions about their personal beliefs, we're left to wonder about the reasons behind this unconventional display of patriotism.

One possible explanation for flying the flag inverted could be political.

A Symbolic Statement: Conservative and Liberal Concerns

Some conservatives, feeling disheartened by what they perceive as the country's shift towards the "left," have chosen this symbolic gesture to express their concerns. Take, for instance, a man from Maine who openly declared his frustration by flying his flag upside-down.

Standing Against Change: Protest in Patriotic Colors

For some Americans, the act of flying the flag upside-down transcends political grievances and extends to social issues.

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The overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 sparked nationwide debate and, consequently, prompted some to hoist their flags in protest. It serves as a stark reminder of the intersection between patriotism and activism, where the red, white, and blue become symbols of dissent and defiance.

What Does the U.S. DOD Say About Flying a Flag Inverted?

According to the U.S. Department of Defense website, there are some "do's and don'ts" on how you properly display the American flag and some of those include:

Don't display outdoors during bad weather days.
The flag should never be touching anything underneath it like the floor, water, or merchandise.
Flag should be displayed on a flag staff that is upright and not leaning.

When it comes to flying an American flag inverted, the United States D.O.D. says it should "never be displayed upside down unless trying to convey a sign of distress or great danger."

The U.S. Code for "Respect for Flag" says the following:

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.

While this is a guess, I would assume the flag is being flown upside at this home in protest and not because the resident feels their life or property is in immediate danger, but you never know.

Is it illegal to fly an American flag upside-down?

It's not illegal to fly the U.S. flag upside-down but it is a sign of disrespect, according to StarSpangledFlags.

In the movie The Last Castle, the upside-down flag is a major plot in the film.

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Filed Under: Rockford News