The Pride flag has been removed from the prominent LGBTQI monument Stonewall in New York, leading to significant public outrage. Mayor Zohran Mamdani expressed his anger on social media platform X, calling the decision unacceptable. This removal follows new guidelines issued by the National Parks Service, which now permits only the American flag and official agency flags to fly at the parks and monuments it manages, with very few exceptions.

The National Parks Service's new policy has triggered protests at the monument, as demonstrators have gathered to voice their discontent regarding the flag's removal. One protester articulated the sentiments of many by stating that this action is a message implying, "we do not want you to exist." The Stonewall riots in 1969 marked a pivotal moment in the LGBTQI rights movement, and the flag's absence has garnered attention not just domestically but also internationally.

The Pride movement, which originated in New York to commemorate the Stonewall uprising, sees this decision as a significant setback. The Pride flag is not only a symbol of pride and acceptance but also of the ongoing struggle for recognition and rights within the LGBTQI community. The situation raises concerns about the broader implications for LGBTQI representation in public spaces, prompting discussions on how historical contexts and current societal values should intersect.