When you look at police today you will see a certain mark showing up more and more, either on their uniform, their person, their vehicles, and even police buildings. The Thin Blue Line. It will show up as either a simple blue line or, more notably, on an altered US flag. When looking at this altered US flag

it's easy to see the direct violation of the US flag code.

Title 36 Chapter 10 §176. Respect for flag

No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.

This disfigured “flag” is a shameless violation of the code and a loud presentation of disrespect towards the US flag. A violation proudly being carried out on a daily basis by our own law enforcement right in public view. Hijacking the US flag, changing its colors, adding a mark (the Blue Line) in order to change its meaning, and claiming it as their own is dishonorable and truly unpatriotic.

While some police departments have placed this altered US flag on their police vehicles, and some have even gone so far as to fly this “flag” either inside or outside police buildings, some officers are taking it upon themselves to place it either somewhere on their uniform or on their person. Police departments across the country have uniform policies. Policies that state what can and can't be worn while in uniform or on the uniform itself. Brandishing a mark, insignia, or design that advertises an external membership club violates their uniform policy. Advertising the Thin Blue Line on wrist bands, pins, patches, rings, stickers, etc. while in uniform showcases this violation. And the Thin Blue Line between two black strips is seen as the abbreviated version of the altered US flag.

From Blue Lives Matter website:

Blue Lives Matter is a media company...

Unjust attacks from the news media, celebrities and politicians...

The mission of Blue Lives Matter is to support American police officers...

There's a war being waged on police...

You can help us accomplish our mission by becoming a member!

From Thin Blue Line Foundation website:

The black stripes above the blue line represent the public and the bottom black stripes represent the criminal.

Your donation will impact Law Enforcement personnel...

Buy Thin Blue Line apparel and accessories through our corporate partner Thin Blue Line USA...

Whether the Thin Blue Line and Blue Lives Matter are associated with each other or not does not change the fact that people see them as one in the same. Interpretation is in the eye of the beholder, and the Thin Blue Line is interpreted in different ways. While some see the Thin Blue Line as a symbol of support for police, or a symbol showing the separation of order and chaos, or a dedication to fallen police officers, some see it differently. A citizen seeing an officer advertising the Thin Blue Line sees an officer acknowledging they will support another police officer before a citizen. Some see it as “Us vs Them”, like the streets are a combat zone and citizens are the enemy. Some see an officer making a political statement (similar to the San Antonio police officers who were disciplined for wearing “Make America Great Again” hats while in uniform) Some see the altered US flag as an image that declares “United Police State of America”. And some see the Thin Blue Line as nothing more than a gang sign.

The Thin Blue Line in all its forms needs to be banned from police uniforms, police vehicles, and police buildings. Because it is interpreted in different ways makes it a distraction for both police officers and the public. The sight of the Thin Blue Line has been the blunt cause of animosity during some police interactions. Ridding this indecent “flag” will help to ease tension between police and the public. Signing this petition does not make you anti-police. Signing it means you respect the US Flag.