When the Palestinian flag was raised over Providence City Hall this spring, it sparked more than controversy; It sparked a sudden change in city policy. Mayor Brett Smiley issued a new executive order requiring special approval for any future flags flown on city property.
But what changed? The city had previously flown Irish, Italian, Israeli, Pride, and Ukrainian flags without needing new rules. As an American Syrian Lebanese Muslim, I couldn’t help but notice: It only became a problem when Palestine was involved.
This isn’t just about flags. It’s about who gets to be seen and who is silenced. By changing the rules only after one community’s flag was flown, the city sent a clear message that some people belong more than others. This feels like political convenience disguised as policy. It’s frustrating and painful to see how selectively “inclusion” is practiced, especially in a city that claims to welcome all.
One major problem with the new flag policy is inconsistency. There was no need for special approvals before. Why now? Providence has long celebrated its diversity by flying flags from all over the world, yet suddenly, with Palestine, a line was drawn.
Second, the policy gives too much power to a few. It lets either the mayor or the Providence City Council decide who gets to be represented. This is dangerous because it makes public visibility subject to the comfort of a few officials rather than any clear or fair process.
Third, this move discredits the real message behind raising the Palestinian flag: solidarity with people experiencing deep suffering. Councilor Miguel Sanchez put it plainly: “We fly the Palestinian flag, and all of a sudden we need a policy… The mayor is ranking human life.” The city’s inconsistency doesn’t just look bad — it feels bad to those of us who are part of the Muslim and Arab community. It feels like we are being told our pain is too controversial to acknowledge.
This incident isn’t isolated. It reflects a broader pattern known as the “Palestine Exception” to free speech, where advocacy for Palestinian rights is often met with disproportionate censorship and suppression. A report by Palestine Legal and the Center for Constitutional Rights documents numerous instances where pro-Palestinian speech has been unfairly targeted, particularly in academic spaces.
So what should happen now? Either the city allows all communities to be represented through flag-raising, or it stops the practice altogether. There’s no middle ground that’s fair. The policy must apply equally and without favoritism or fear. If Providence wants to stand for diversity, it must stand for all of us, not just the ones who make people comfortable.
If the city is serious about equity, it needs to show it — not just say it.
Khaled Soulaiman is a first-generation Syrian Lebanese Muslim and a student at College Unbound in Providence.