Black Lives Matter Flag Flies Next to American Flag at University of Vermont, Generates Controversy

A Black Lives Matter flag is generating controversy on University of Vermont’s campus for flying next to an American flag.

The Student Government Association at UVM put the flag on display Thursday to recognize police shootings in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Charlotte, North Carolina, FOX 44/ABC 22 reported.

But the flag is causing controversy after it was placed next to the American flag and the Vermont state flag.

Viewers of FOX 44/ABC 22 commented on the station’s Facebook page saying that “All Lives Matter” in Vermont and that it was inappropriate to fly the flag at the same height as the American flag, the station reported.

UVM president Tom Sullivan was behind the student government’s decision to fly the flag, and defended their decision to do so, WCAX reported.

Sullivan said the university is not endorsing Black Lives Matter by flying the flag outside the student center, but is showing the students’ support for the African American community in response to the recent police shootings.

“I think given this particular time in the history of America, our students thought it was an appropriate time over the next couple of days to show their support for black communities in the United States,” Sullivan told WCAX.

The student center has flown flags representing other groups from the same flagpole to honor various organizations.

The flag will remain in place until Monday.