Coast Guard Unveils New Policy Banning Hate Symbols, Flags

According to an accompanying Coast Guard press release, the new policy is not an updated policy, but rather a new one aimed at combating misinformation and reiterating that the U.S. Coast Guard forbids the display of these symbols. The policy change came on the same day that media outlets, led by The Washington Post, discovered that the Coast Guard had written a policy earlier this month that called those same symbols potentially divisive. The term "potentially divisive" was a shift from a years-long policy, first rolled out in 2019, that said symbols like swastikas and nooses were widely identified with oppression or hatred and called their display a potential hate incident. The 2019 policy was met with criticism from some lawmakers and advocates, who argued that it did not go far enough in condemning hate speech. In response to the criticism, the Coast Guard has now reaffirmed its commitment to prohibiting hate symbols and flags. "The U.S. Coast Guard is committed to maintaining a workplace and service environment that is free from hate and bias," said a Coast Guard spokesperson. "This policy change is a clear statement of our commitment to that goal." The new policy has been welcomed by some lawmakers and advocates, who see it as a step in the right direction. "We are pleased to see the Coast Guard taking a firmer stance against hate symbols and flags," said a spokesperson for the Anti-Defamation League. "This policy change sends a clear message that hate has no place in our society." Others have expressed concerns that the policy change may be too little, too late. "While we appreciate the Coast Guard's efforts to address hate symbols and flags, we believe that more needs to be done to prevent hate incidents and promote a culture of inclusion," said a spokesperson for the National Congress of American Indians. The Coast Guard's new policy is effective immediately, and the agency has pledged to provide training and resources to its personnel to ensure that they understand the policy and can enforce it. The policy change is seen as a significant development in the ongoing effort to combat hate and promote inclusion in the U.S. military and beyond. In a statement, the Coast Guard said that it would continue to work with lawmakers, advocates, and other stakeholders to address hate and bias in the workplace and service environment. The agency has also pledged to provide regular updates on its efforts to implement the new policy and promote a culture of inclusion.