In case you missed it, Milwaukee is currently partying like it’s 2016 by reviving the ol’ “Milwaukee flag” debate.
In July, Alderman Peter Burgelis unveiled plans to adopt the so-called “People’s Flag of Milwaukee” as the official City flag. The “People’s Flag”—a.k.a. that “Sunrise Over the Lake” design you’ve surely seen—was the winner of a 2016 contest to design a new City flag. A few years later, a push to adopt that flag as the official City flag—replacing a design first adopted in 1954—stalled out right before the COVID-19 pandemic.
But with COVID (mostly) in the rearview mirror and flag fever (apparently) taking its place, it’s time to dredge up all this flag stuff again. Burgelis wants to officially adopt the “People’s Flag” in time for Milwaukee’s 179th birthday, January 31, 2025. But first, he’s hosting some listening sessions.
“‘Sunrise Over the Lake’ is referred to as ‘The People’s Flag’ and has been organically adopted by Milwaukeeans since its introduction in 2016,” Burgelis says in a press release. “It’s widely used by Milwaukeeans on homes, businesses, and local products in every ZIP Code and neighborhood in Milwaukee, which is why I believe it would suit our city well as the official flag. That said, I want residents to be informed on the current flag as well, and want to gather as much feedback as possible good or bad.”
So buckle up for the “Flag Roadshow”! These events will include “discussion and information about the city’s current flag, as well as ‘Sunrise Over the Lake’ that the Alderman has proposed be adopted as the official City flag.”
The tentative dates and locations are:
• 8/6: 3-7pm, MPD District 7 National Night Out, Sherman Park, 3000 N. Sherman Blvd.
• 8/7: 3-7pm, MPD District 4 National Night Out, Evangel Assembly of God/Direct Supply, 9920 W. Good Hope Rd.
• 8/8: 5-8pm, MPD District 6 National Night Out, Pulaski Park, 2200 W. KK River Parkway
• 8/9: 4-7pm, MPD District 1 National Night Out, Maryland Avenue Montessori School, 2418 N. Maryland Ave.
• 8/12: 5-7pm, Mitchell Street Library, 906 W. Historic Mitchell St.
• 8/14: 11am- 1pm, Washington Park Senior Center, 4420 W. Vliet St.
• 8/14: 3-7pm, MPD District 5 National Night Out, Moody Park, 2201 W. Auer Ave.
• 8/14: 4:30pm – 8pm, Milwaukee Night Market, 411 W. Wisconsin Ave.
• 8/17: 9am-noon, Near West Side Partners Wellness Rally Davidson Park, 3725 W. Juneau Ave.
• 8/27: 5 – 7pm, Chill on The Hill, Humboldt Park, 3000 S Howell Ave.
• 8/28: 5 – 7pm, Washington Park Wednesday Concert, Washington Park Bandshell, 4600 W Olmsted Way.
• 8/29: noon – 2pm Resource Fair, Hamilton High School, 6215 W. Warnimont Ave.
And yes, a good portion of the dates listed on today’s press release have already come and gone. First we’ve heard of ’em, which bodes well.
Anyway, comments can also be sent to [email protected]. Burgelis intends to bring the question of adoption of “Sunrise Over the Lake” before the Steering and Rules Committee on September 9. After that, the full Common Council could vote on adoption later in the month.
…And for those who missed the origin story of the Milwaukee flag debate, here’s a recap:
In 2015, inspired by a TED Talk in which podcast host Roman Mars called the official Milwaukee flag one of the worst in the country, Milwaukee graphic designer Steve Kodis (and, eventually, non-profit organization Greater Together and others) spearheaded a grassroots contest to come up with a new flag. In June 2016, following a 1,000-entry design contest, Robert Lenz’s “Sunrise Over the Lake” was chosen by online voters as the People’s Flag. The symbol was soon embraced by much of Milwaukee, appearing on everything from shirts and stickers to bikes and beer. In July 2018, People’s Flag organizers made a presentation to the Common Council seeking official adoption of the flag. The presentation began well but was effectively shut down when various alders raised concerns about the non-inclusive nature of the People’s Flag contest. Further discussion—and the question of whether Milwaukee actually needed a new flag—was punted to the Milwaukee Arts Board.
[deep breath] In the fall and winter of 2018, following another presentation from People’s Flag organizers, the Milwaukee Arts Board determined that a new flag was indeed needed, and that the People’s Flag contest was indeed non-inclusive. The Board recommended that a request for proposal (RFP) be set up to come up with a new, official Milwaukee flag. On April 25, 2019, Milwaukee’s Steering and Rules Committee approved a resolution to create a new process to come up with an official city flag. That effort stalled, however, thanks in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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