MADISON, Wis. — As Gov. Tony Evers raised the Juneteenth flag over the State Capitol on Wednesday, a GOP-backed effort to stop such displays loomed large over the ceremony. Earlier this year, Wisconsin Republicans introduced legislation to ban identity-based flags—including Juneteenth and Pride flags—from being flown on government buildings.
The bill, Assembly Bill 58, passed out of the Republican-controlled Committee on State Affairs and sought to restrict flag displays on state office buildings, local government facilities, and public schools. Under the bill’s provisions, only the U.S. and Wisconsin state flags would be allowed to fly on public buildings. Flags linked to social causes, sexual orientation, political viewpoints, and racial identity would be explicitly prohibited, as reported by news8000.
The measure was a direct response to Gov. Evers’ previous decisions to fly both the Juneteenth and Progress Pride flags atop the Capitol. Introduced by Rep. Jerry O’Connor (R–60th) and Sen. Dan Feyen (R–20th), the legislation would strip the governor of the ability to authorize exceptions—effectively ending the Juneteenth flag tradition that began in 2020. (RELATED: DNC Votes to Overturn David Hogg’s Vice Chair Win, Citing Diversity Quotas)
Despite that effort, Evers and members of the Wisconsin Legislative Black Caucus held a public ceremony on Wednesday to raise the Juneteenth flag once again and reaffirm the state’s recognition of the holiday.
“It is exceedingly important that, as we honor this holiday today, we renew our commitment to building a Wisconsin that works for everyone—one that is brighter, fairer, and more just and where every person is treated with dignity and respect,” Evers said.
While the proposed flag ban has not yet passed into law, it reflects a broader cultural battle over how and whether governments should publicly recognize communities. The legislation includes exceptions for military, tribal, and ceremonial flags, but its explicit ban on those tied to “racial identity,” “social causes,” or “sexual orientation” drew sharp criticism from civil rights groups and Democratic leaders. (RELATED: Supreme Court Backs Catholic Charities in Wisconsin Unemployment Tax Case)
Republicans argue the bill is meant to depoliticize public buildings, but opponents see it as a partisan move aimed at erasing important historical and cultural observances.
Although Evers is expected to veto the measure if it reaches his desk, the legislation remains a symbolic challenge to his administration’s inclusive messaging. For now, however, the Juneteenth flag continues to fly—both as a tribute to emancipation and as a quiet rebuke to efforts to silence it.
