LGBTQ+ Activist Disrespects POW/MIA Flag, Mayor’s Response Shuts It Down [WATCH]

Newcastle, Washington, Mayor Robert Clark firmly defended the decision to fly the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW/MIA) flag over City Hall after an LGBTQ+ activist angrily accused the city council of using the flag as a way to avoid flying the Pride flag.

The tense exchange occurred Tuesday night during a public hearing, where activists criticized the city council for its 2023 decision to prevent the Pride flag from being flown at City Hall during Pride Month.

The council had previously voted against raising the flag, later reversing its decision in a narrow 4-3 vote to allow it.

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During the three-hour session, an activist took the podium and called Mayor Clark “disgusting,” claiming that he and other elected officials were attempting to deceive the public by flying the POW/MIA flag instead of the Pride flag.

“There are 82,000 Americans registered as POWs and MIAs, but there’s 20 million minimum LGBTQ members,” the activist stated.

“I’ve talked before about the hypocrisy, and I think that your approach to trying to trick people out of having to fly the Pride flag in June by making sure the POW-MIA flag was flown is really disgusting,” she continued, before saying that Clark and the city council should be “ashamed.”

As the activist turned away from the podium, Clark immediately responded, rejecting the claim that honoring American veterans was a political stunt.

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“It’s not common that I respond to public comment, but I will not sit here and have somebody tell me that veterans are a political stunt. How dare you,” Clark stated.

“This country was founded because veterans lost their lives, hundreds of thousands of people died for this country so you could fly your Pride flag. Man, I am pissed.”

The mayor continued by telling the activist to never “disparage veterans” in his presence again.

“Those 82,000 people who never came home will never have a chance to have a family or grow up while you can fly your Pride flag. They sacrificed their lives all over the world for America and for freedom.”

Clark also criticized activists for targeting him on social media, saying he had “tolerated” their attacks and “libelous” claims online, but had reached his limit.

“You probably can’t help yourself, but don’t ever disparage veterans in front of me,” he warned as someone in the audience attempted to respond.

“We’re done,” Clark stated firmly before moving on to the next speaker.

NEW: Newcastle, WA Mayor Robert Clark obliterated a far-left activist after she compared the LGBTQ Pride flag to a POW flag.
This happened Tuesday evening as the council voted 4-3 to approve DEI and climate change goals into long term city planning. pic.twitter.com/88dScyD0vl

— Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) March 19, 2025

The Newcastle City Council’s 2023 decision not to fly the Pride flag sparked controversy, leading to a 4-3 vote reversal that allowed it.

Clark opposed the decision, warning that if the city allowed one political or social movement’s flag, others could follow.

“If we start raising flags, then we’ve got to raise everybody’s. Do you want a Hamas flag flying over the City of Newcastle? Or a MAGA flag?” Clark told KOMO News in June 2023.

“How about a Trump flag or an Antifa flag? We’re not going there, folks,” he added. “Everybody is equally represented by the American flag.”

EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle Mayor Robert Clark is doubling down and says his city will not be raising the Pride Flag this year. Clark spoke to me one-on-one and says the vote had nothing to do with being homophobic or anti-trans. Rather, he says the majority of the council believes the… https://t.co/a1ZJDZI3ty pic.twitter.com/cdSpl244x4

— Jonathan Choe (@choeshow) June 8, 2024

The POW/MIA flag has been federally recognized for its importance in honoring prisoners of war and those missing in action.

In 2019, President Donald Trump signed a bipartisan bill, sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), requiring the flag to be displayed whenever the U.S. flag is flown at federal locations, including the White House.

The flag’s design, created by Newt Heisley in 1971, features the silhouette of a prisoner of war with his head bowed, set against a guard tower and barbed wire.

It was originally commissioned by the wife of Navy Lt. Cmdr. Michael Hoff, who was listed as missing in action during the Vietnam War and was never found.

The POW/MIA flag remains a symbol of sacrifice, honoring the thousands of U.S. service members who were captured or never returned home.

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