Democratic legislators in Minnesota are moving to sanction more cities that are opting not to display the new state flag, following the decision to replace the old one, criticized for being ‘racist.’

The original flag, which prominently featured a Native American on horseback within its seal, was updated in 2024. This new design has faced some criticism for resembling Somalia’s national flag.

While Minnesota law does not mandate cities to fly the state flag, an increasing number of municipalities are choosing to continue displaying the former version instead.

In response, a faction of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) Party in the Minnesota House proposed a bill on Monday that would reduce funding by 10 percent for any city that refuses to hoist the new flag.

DFL Representative Mike Freiberg, who helped introduce the bill, expressed his frustration with certain cities. “I find it a bit vexing that some cities, in my opinion, are stirring a culture war,” Freiberg remarked to KSTP.

He added, “We adhered to the proper channels; the state legislature holds the authority to designate state symbols. Cities should prioritize tackling genuine issues.”

The legislation was introduced on the same day that the Inver Grove Heights City Council approved a resolution to fly the old flag instead of the new one.

‘While change can be inevitable, the public reaction to the new flag has thus far been overwhelmingly negative and underwhelmingly accepted, with many residents feeling a meaningful connection has been lost,’ Inver Grove Heights Mayor Brenda Dietrich said.

Minnesota adopted a new flag in 2024 that some critics say looks like the flag of Somalia, and a growing number of cities are opting not to use it

The old flag, which featured a depiction of a Native American on horseback at the center of the seal, was replaced after some people claimed it was racists 

On Monday, a group of Minnesota House members from the Democratic–Farmer–Labor (DFL) Party, including Rep. Mike Freiberg, put forward a bill to slash funding by 10 percent to any city that does not fly the new flag

Other cities that have voted not to fly the new flag include Elk River, Champlin, Zumbrota, Crosslake and Plainview.  

Speaker of the Minnesota House Lisa Demuth completely shut down the proposed legislation.

‘Let me be clear – this Democrat bill has NO path forward in the Minnesota House of Representatives,’ Demuth wrote on Facebook.

Crosslake Lake Mayor Jackson Purfeerst slammed the proposed bill as government overreach.

‘Punishing local governments for exercising their right to choose, on something that is supposed to be voluntary, does not reflect Minnesota values. It is an overreach of power, plain and simple,’ he wrote on Facebook.

‘In Minnesota, local control, fiscal responsibility, and giving people a voice still matters, and they should be respected. 

Champlin Mayor Ryan Sabas, whose city voted to fly the old flag in February, told Fox News that the proposed bill is ‘ridiculous.’

‘It’s just an absolutely ridiculous bill that Democrats are signing on to because they’re scared that this has gained traction,’ he said.

Some critics argue the new flag resembles the flag of Somalia which features a white, five-point star on a light blue background

Mayors whose cities have voted to not use the new flag slammed the legislation as government overreach  

Speaker of the Minnesota House Lisa Demuth completely shutdown the proposed legislation

‘Not that it is, it has gained attraction. Every week there’s another city or two or three that are passing the same resolution, that are moving forward, not staying silent anymore. 

‘The simple fact that they say they’re going to withhold any kind of funding from a city is absolutely ridiculous. That’s the people’s money. That’s the people’s taxes.’

The previous flag design dates to 1893 and features a depiction of a Native American on horseback. 

Some called the old design racists as the Native American was seen leaving with a white settler in the foreground. 

The new design features a dark blue field approximating the shape of the state on the left with an eight-point star, which is said to represent the North Star. On the right it is light blue to signify the water in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

Critics argues it also resembles the flag of Somalia which features a white, five-point star on a light blue background.

When the City of Elk River voted to use the old flag, Minnesota House Majority Whip Tom Emmer celebrated on social media.

‘The City of Elk River has voted to restore Minnesota’s old state flag, which is a much better representation of our state than woke Tim Walz’s flag that resembles that of a certain East African country,’ he wrote on X, referring to Somalia.

Walz was not directly involved in the flag’s selection, but he did sign the legislation that created the State Emblem Redesign Commission which ultimately picked the design

Minnesota is home to more than 80,000 people of Somali origin, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar

Walz was not directly involved in the flag’s selection, but he did sign the legislation that created the State Emblem Redesign Commission which ultimately picked the design.

The artist who created the design, Andrew Prekker, said he drew inspiration from the state’s history and culture.

‘I looked at other US state flags for inspiration, but did not look at other countries or territories,’ Prekker said. ‘Any similarities people want to see are a coincidence.’ 

Minnesota is home to more than 80,000 people of Somali origin, including Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.

Last year, Donald Trump said Somalis were ‘completely taking over’ Minnesota and accused the community of widespread fraud, which prompted the massive, unprecedented immigration enforcement operation.

Walz created a new centralized fraud investigation unit last January in response to the allegations; however, the state continued to be a magnet for fraud allegations from the Trump administration.