CT town refuses to fly 'Thin Blue Line' Flag surrounding officer's funeral

The city council of Wethersfield, CT became a center of controversy Thursday when funeral services held for fallen Connecticut State Trooper Aaron Pelletier were marred by the council voting against flying the 'thin blue line' flag and condemning it as "associated with hate," and saying it "represents racism and antagonism." Instead, the flags already flying, the American Flag, the Connecticut Flag, and a 'Pride' flag were flown at half-staff.

According to reporting from local outlet WTNH, the town council, currently led by Democrats debated whether to fly the 'thin blue line' flag following a proposal from Council member Rich Bailey (R). The vote failed along party lines with the three Republicans voting in favor, and five Democrats voting against, with one abstention.

“In my home, [the flag] means police, and they protect us, and they are our first line of defense,” Bailey told reporters. “They always are, and they’re always here, and they’re always for us.”