Socialist Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson raises 'Pan-African' flag for Black History Month

Socialist Mayor Katie Wilson raised the "Pan-African" flag in the city of Seattle for the celebration of Black History Month. "Today we raise the Pan-African flag in celebration of Black History Month," Wilson said before the flag was raised alongside the American flag.

City Council member Rob Saka also appeared at the flag raising ceremony, saying that black history is not only American history, but the part of Seattle's history as well. 

In a post to Instagram concerning the flag raising, Wilson wrote, "Today, Deputy Mayor Surratt, CM Rob Saka and I, raised the Pan-African flag at City Hall in honor of Black History Month. In Seattle, remembering also means acting: confronting racial disparities in housing, education, health and public safety."



"It means protecting civil rights and investing in Black-led organizations and community leadership, so Black families can thrive and build generational stability. Black history is present and future, and essential to Seattle's story," she added in the post. 

The Pan-African flag was created in 1920 to represent those who descended from Africa in the US and is also a symbol of the black liberation movement. There were various reactions to the post on social media. Some were critical of the mayor while others cheered for the action.  

"Do something about South Seattle Rainier Avenue S-homelessness encampment is endangering our neighborhoods as well as loitering!" one Instagram user said in response. 

Another was critical of Wilson, but thought the ceremony was not complete without a land acknowledgement. "Katie, this is so great to see you embracing other cultures. I am a bit concerned as I did not hear a land acknowledgment prior to this event. We don’t do land acknowledgments only when they’re convenient we need to be doing them all the time."

"This mayor seems to be moving in the right direction. The optics look good, but we'll just have to see how this plays out, because politics be politicking," another user added.