Who is Andrew Almer? North Dakota man told to take down US flag as flapping caused ‘excessive noise at all hours’
FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA: For the last two years, Andrew Almer has flown the American flag proudly from his balcony. "It's a symbol of our nation. It should be flown whenever it can be," he said. Adding that it is a symbol of support, he said, "I have a lot of friends and family that serve in the military." But little did he know that the flag would become the center of a controversy for the Fargo condo association.
Two months ago, Almer started receiving letters from the president of the Plum Tree Square condo association asking him to take down the flag because it is too noisy in the wind.
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Flag causing a nuisance
According to the reports, Almer first expressed shock at receiving the request. "You’ve got to be kidding me,” Almer had told KVLY-TV. "With everything that’s going on in the world these days and this is what you’re going to complain about?”
One of the letters acquired by the publication read, "The flag that you have hanging on your balcony had been making an excessive amount of noise in the wind at all hours. It will need to be taken down during these times as well as any inclement weather. It also needs to be taken down between sunset and sunrise." The document was signed by the president of the Plum Tree Square Condo Board Rochelle Dubbels.
No plans to take it down
Reports reveal that Almer has no intentions of taking the flag down. “It’s not coming down anytime soon,” he said. "It’s not making that much noise that it’s a liability to the association." He also said that the flag will fly, despite what he said could be a hefty penalty.
“It’s not anything offensive,” Almer added. “It’s not rude, it’s not nasty, it’s the American flag." According to the Federal Freedom to Display the American Flag Act of 2005, no homeowner association can restrict owners from displaying the American flag on their property. Except if it’s reasonable or in the best interest of the association.
There have been some reported instances against the U.S. flag. In October last year in Portland, Oregon, Antifa was allegedly caught on video ganging up on a woman of color, dragging her by the hair to a sidewalk in an attempt to yank an American flag from her. "There was a conservative protest today in downtown Portland. Antifa came to attack the attendees. As they were leaving, antifa tried to steal a woman’s US flag (she’s a person of color). She refused to let go & they pulled her to ground by her hair. She still didn’t let go," right-wing media personality Andy Ngo had claimed.
There was a conservative protest today in downtown Portland. Antifa came to attack the attendees. As they were leaving, antifa tried to steal a woman’s US flag (she’s a person of color). She refused to let go & they pulled her to ground by her hair. She still didn’t let go. pic.twitter.com/AjM4pIPTGy
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) October 5, 2020
In another instance from December last year, a student of Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, Washington, had her school’s yearbook picture rejected because she was using the American flag as a prop draped over her shoulders. She had taken to Facebook to express her anger. "Screw Lewis and Clark. The fact that I can’t have my senior picture in the yearbook because it contains the American flag in it amazes me. Are you kidding me right now? If the American flag offends you effing leave. Screw this school I want to switch Lewis and Clark High School."