One of Massachusetts biggest cities is taking a stand against the state flag and seal, calling it offensive.Leaders in Cambridge want to remove the flag from council chambers.The state’s official seal depicts an Algonquin native in gold holding a bow in his right hand and a downward arrow in his left, with a silver star above his right arm, representing Massachusetts as one of the original 13 states. A crest above shows a blue and gold braid with an arm grasping a broadsword, with the state motto in Latin written in gold on a blue ribbon streaming below the native. It translates as: "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty."Native Americans said the symbols are oppressive. "We encourage you to move in this direction so that we too can have all of our children feel a sense of belonging when they look at our flag," Robin Harris, a member of the Massachusetts Ponkopoag Tribe said. "We really need to start dismantling all of this in our community and become a more inclusive community," Cambridge mayor Marc McGovern said. The council also unanimously voted to support state legislation that would create a commission to look into removing certain images from the seal.

One of Massachusetts biggest cities is taking a stand against the state flag and seal, calling it offensive.

Leaders in Cambridge want to remove the flag from council chambers.


The state’s official seal depicts an Algonquin native in gold holding a bow in his right hand and a downward arrow in his left, with a silver star above his right arm, representing Massachusetts as one of the original 13 states.

A crest above shows a blue and gold braid with an arm grasping a broadsword, with the state motto in Latin written in gold on a blue ribbon streaming below the native.

It translates as: "By the sword we seek peace, but peace only under liberty."

Native Americans said the symbols are oppressive.

"We encourage you to move in this direction so that we too can have all of our children feel a sense of belonging when they look at our flag," Robin Harris, a member of the Massachusetts Ponkopoag Tribe said.

"We really need to start dismantling all of this in our community and become a more inclusive community," Cambridge mayor Marc McGovern said.

The council also unanimously voted to support state legislation that would create a commission to look into removing certain images from the seal.

