Reading mayor blocks raising of pride flag, calling it an emblem of a 'political movement'

READING, PA — Dozens of people were ready to make history Monday evening by raising the pride flag over City Hall for the first time, but Mayor Wally Scott had a different idea.

Scott prohibited City Council and city employees from allowing the flag, which recognizes Reading's Pride Celebration for people in the LGBTQ community, to be raised minutes before the event was set to start. It was to be flown until Sunday.

Council President Jeffrey S. Waltman Sr. said he found out five minutes before arriving at City Hall and tried to convince Scott to change his mind.

"He has concerns for flying a flag for one specific cause because it could raise questions," Waltman said. "I didn't even have time to debate that with him"

Read more: https://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/reading-mayor-blocks-raising-of-pride-flag