Some residents feel a deep connection to the historic flag… Others believe that change reflects who we are today. Both viewpoints come from a place of care for our state and its identity.”

Mayor Mary Fasbender

A standing-room-only crowd filled the Hastings City Council chambers Monday night, May 4, as residents on both sides of a contentious debate over Minnesota’s new state flag turned out to be heard — only to see the issue removed from the agenda before any formal council action could take place.
The discussion centered on whether the city should continue flying the newly adopted Minnesota state flag or revert to the former design. But after brief comments from council members and the mayor, the council voted to strike the item from its agenda, effectively declining to weigh in on the matter.
Still, the removal did little to quiet the issue, as dozens of residents remained to offer passionate testimony during a lengthy public comment period that underscored deep divisions — and shared concerns — within the community.
The issue was initially placed on the agenda after inquiries from residents, according to Council Member Mya Beck.
“I’ve been approached by several community members about a concern of possibly going back to the old state flag,” Beck said. “I said no several times, to the point where it felt like I wasn’t doing my job. I felt it was important to bring it to the agenda.”
Beck emphasized there was “no intent to make this a political debate,” though the turnout suggested otherwise.
Mayor Mary Fasbender echoed the importance of public input but stressed that decisions about the state flag are made at the state level, not by municipal governments.
“Some residents feel a deep connection to the historic flag… Others believe that change reflects who we are today,” Fasbender said. “Both viewpoints come from a place of care for our state and its identity.”
She added that the council’s responsibility is to focus on local issues such as drinking water, infrastructure, public safety and economic development.
Following those remarks, Council Member Lisa Leifeld moved to amend the agenda to remove the item, arguing that the matter had already been decided by the state and did not directly affect the health, safety or welfare of Hastings residents.
The motion passed on a roll call vote, removing the item from consideration, with Beck being the sole vote against.
Despite the council’s decision, the chamber remained engaged as residents lined up to speak, many sharing deeply personal perspectives.
Council Member Angie Haus spoke before the vote, framing her opposition to reverting to the old flag through her family’s Native American heritage.
“My husband is Native American… his ancestors were pushed out of their homelands,” Haus said. “So when we talk about bringing back that flag, we need to ask, what does it represent, and who does it leave out?”
That perspective was echoed by speakers representing Native communities.
Yvonne Oberly, reading a letter on behalf of Prairie Island Indian Community Tribal Council President Grant Johnson, said the former flag’s imagery has long been viewed as harmful.
“The old flag… depicts a white farmer… [and] a native man… riding away in the background,” the letter stated. “The depiction echoes painful historical realities for Dakota people.”
Another speaker, Michael Childs Jr., a member of the Prairie Island Indian Community, reminded the council of the continued presence of Dakota people in the region.
“We are not gone,” he said. “Maybe some people want us to be gone… but we are here.”
Speakers supporting the former flag often emphasized heritage, historical continuity and concerns about how the new flag was adopted.
Hastings resident Jeff McNamara argued that the previous design reflects the area’s agricultural roots.
“My family has been farming this land for over 100 years,” he said. “Removing the symbol… feels like erasing part of who we are.”
Others questioned the process that led to the new flag’s adoption, suggesting it lacked sufficient public input.
“There’s clearly a large part of this community that is not feeling like they’re part of the decision,” one speaker said, urging consideration of a local vote.
Still others framed the debate in broader cultural terms, with one resident calling the issue part of a “culture war” distracting from more pressing policy concerns.
Several speakers, regardless of their stance on the flag, urged the council to stay focused on local priorities.
Longtime resident Bill Spinelli cautioned against engaging in symbolic debates at the expense of tangible issues.
“I urge our city council not to get dragged into political theater… and pay attention to… clean water, roads, parks and trails,” he said.
Others pointed to the divisiveness of the topic itself.
“This continues to divide our community,” said Hastings resident Sam St. John, who spoke about her experiences growing up Native in the city.