Upside-Down Flag for Shooting Victims Sparks Controversy

WAUKESHA, WI -- An American flag that is flying upside down at an apartment at Blackhawk Trail and Fleetfoot Drive has sparked some controversy, but it appears the intent of the display isn’t malicious.

According to the apartment manager, a tenant said, “it is the proper thing to do for mourning.” An apartment manager told Waukesha Patch the tenant was unable to fly the flag at half-staff because it wasn’t on a flagpole so he decided to fly it upside down to honor the children killed in the Newtown, CT, shooting.

Flying an American flag upside down is a sign of distress. But lately, some people have flown the inverted flag as a sign of political dismay. In Illinois, a conservative veteran upset about President Barack Obama’s re-election created controversy last month with people who felt the display was disrespectful. In November, a Racine man also caused a stir when he flew his American flag upside down for political reasons.

Readers on Waukesha Patch’s Facebook page don’t like the explanation that the flag is upside down for the school shooting victims. Some called the display “a sign of disrespect.”