New Rochelle raises its first-ever Pan-African flag at City Hall

Raising the Pan-African flag also meant lowering the Israeli flag that had flown in front of City Hall since last October.

Jonathan Gordon

Feb 27, 2024, 10:36 PM

Updated 150 days ago

Share:

The mayor who made history as the New Rochelle's first leader of color, made history again on Tuesday, when she raised a Pan-African flag at City Hall.
Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert expressed a great sense of pride as she looked at the flag and what it means, especially during Black History Month.
"Seeing the Pan-African flag, my historical race, [it's] just a representation of people who've always been part of building and being leaders in the community, so it's beautiful to see it at our City Hall and I'm proud to be part of that," she said.
Raising the Pan-African flag also meant lowering the Israeli flag that had flown in front of City Hall since last October. A dozen pro-Palestinian supporters cheered when the flag came down.
On the other side of the flagpole were a few dozen pro-Israel supporters who expressed their presence in support of the Black community.
New Rochelle NAACP President Minister Mark McLean addressed the crowd.
"Black people matter, Black culture matters, and this is a great day for New Rochelle because we all matter as human beings," he said.
Two weeks ago, City Council members revealed private conversations dating back to earlier this year regarding the Israeli flag. At least five members of the council privately voiced support for lowering the flag earlier than scheduled after receiving some complaints from city residents.
Following that meeting, the City Council agreed to come up with a set of flag policies to have more clarity on the procedures for raising and lowering flags on city property.
Mayor Ramos-Herbert said that is still being worked on.
The city will wrap up its celebration of Black History Month on Thursday, Feb. 29, at City Hall from 5:30- 8 p.m.


More from News 12
1:40
Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

Lithium-ion battery fire blamed for closure of Newburgh tailor shop

2:08
Sun skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

Sun skies and warm temps for Saturday in the Hudson Valley

0:52
Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

Slate Hill family of 5 loses home in afternoon blaze

0:37
2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

2 people charged in Middletown narcotics; firearms bust

1:30
Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

Motorcycle, van crash in Greenburgh causes serious injuries

0:56
News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

News 12 probes mystery cloud traced to Orange County & seen throughout tri-state area

1:02
Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

Hillcrest Fire Department receives 2,000 cans of drinking water, courtesy of Anheuser-Busch

1:37
Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

Storm Watch Team Meteorologist Skyler Harman strikes down lightning myths

2:33
Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

Can swimming become dangerous due to extremely high water surface temperatures?

0:32
NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

NYC officials: Westchester caseworker’s death ruled a homicide

0:40
State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

State, federal lawmakers introduce legislation to shorten funding gap for World Trade Center Health Program

0:34
Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

Ex Frito-Lay employee files defamation lawsuit against PepsiCo claiming he invented ‘Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

0:40
Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

Executive orders still in place preventing Rockland County and Orange County hotels from converting into migrant shelters

0:54
Headlines: Drug ring prison sentence, Newburgh felony charge, uptick in car thefts in Briarcliff Manor

Headlines: Drug ring prison sentence, Newburgh felony charge, uptick in car thefts in Briarcliff Manor

0:20
Man sentence to 10 years in prison for running Orange County drug ring

Man sentence to 10 years in prison for running Orange County drug ring

1:18
Town of Wallkill propose noise ordinances at Orange County fairgrounds

Town of Wallkill propose noise ordinances at Orange County fairgrounds

0:22
Rockland athlete to compete in U.S. Olympic rowing team

Rockland athlete to compete in U.S. Olympic rowing team

0:27
Slate Hill FD: Garage fire brought under control

Slate Hill FD: Garage fire brought under control

0:32
Rockland hiker rescued by firefighters in Gurnee Park

Rockland hiker rescued by firefighters in Gurnee Park

0:34
Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued

Finger in salad lawsuit against Chop’t discontinued