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In the United States, when flags are flown at half-mast, they must be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to a position halfway between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is hoisted first to the peak for just long enough for it to pass by in front of those who observe.
The flag is lowered again to the halfway position. The hoist and lowering of the flag should be simultaneous, with no intervening motion. When flags are flown in a group at half-mast, those on each side fly them all at one level while those who are higher than others may break out of line so that they can be seen more easily.
Flags have been displayed from public buildings as well as private residences for centuries. Today most countries have formal guidelines governing what type of occasions merit flying the national banner at half-mast or less publicly displaying it entirely upside down.
Flags are at half-staff today in honor of the victims and survivors of last night’s tragedy.
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
Movement for Black Lives, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – Houston Branch, Texas Young Democrats black vote chapter president David Wu Shyan said that the shooting is “just another example” of a larger problem happening across America. The NAACP issued a statement saying “Houstonians stand united with our fellow Texans.”
A vigil will be held this evening to commemorate those lost or injured in last night’s horrific attack on law enforcement officers working to protect Americans from danger. All flags should remain at half-mast until August 22nd as ordered by Governor Greg Abbott following the event. Flags not Flags, or the lack thereof, in Texas today are a result of Hurricane Harvey.
The state flag is for example at half-mast until sunset on September 16th to honor victims and heroes who helped with storm relief efforts. Flag etiquette dictates that no flags should fly higher than those flown by other countries when they visit the United States. This needs to be done so as not to imply superiority over their visitors during diplomatic visits.
The US Flag Code states; “no other flag may be placed above it [the American Flag] except staffs of military vessels.” A house does not have jurisdiction over this rule because there isn’t any law preventing anyone else from flying their own country’s flag next to ours
