Huntsville lowers Russian flag in protest of military action

CTV Barrie: Hunstville sending message to Russia Huntsville, which held the G8, is showing its protest to Russia’s military moves in Ukraine. Rob Cooper explains.

The Town of Huntsville is taking a stand against Russia's military move into Ukraine.

From the Canadian flag outside town hall to the dozens of Dara Howell flags that line the streets of downtown, tonight there is one flag that’s gone missing.

“We are taking a strong position because we think the circumstances warrant it,” says Huntsville Mayor Claude Doughty.

Gone from the G8 monument is the Russian flag.

“I talked to all our members of council,” he says. “All members agreed unanimously that we should take that flag down as a result of the action that Russia has taken in Ukraine.”

Mayor and council swapped phone calls and e-mails last night before making the decision. And it was an easy one according to the mayor.

The flags from all G8 countries were put up when the town hosted the summit in 2010.

The Russian flag has now been put away at town hall for the time being. Today, word of council's decision spread quickly through town and many people support taking the flag down.

“It is the right thing to do,” says Lynn Piper. “We need to stand up for the people of Ukraine and I think it's our obligation as a country, as a city, as a town to do that.”

Doughty adds, “Hopefully this whole issue gets rectified quickly. We have seen in the past that major world wars can happen from one match being dropped, if you will, and we think it's important to make a statement early.”

But not everyone we spoke with today thinks it was the right move.

“Until we are actually at war, you know have gone one step further, I think we should just let things be,” says Joy Tomlinson. “I don't think we should be taking sides right now. I really hope that we can have peace and things will work out but I don't like to see that down, no.”

The Mayor of Huntsville says the Russian flag will stay down until further notice. He says there has been some talk of possibly putting up the Ukrainian flag, but was quick to point out it would not be on the same flag pole.