Elk River to consider flying former Minnesota state flag on city property

The fight over Minnesota’s new state flag continues to ripple across the state, with another city now weighing whether to bring back the previous design.

The Elk River City Council will consider a resolution to fly the former state flag on city property during its meeting Monday, April 6.

City leaders are seeking public input ahead of the meeting at Elk River City Hall. According to the city, feedback submitted online or through social media will be included in the council packet reviewed before the meeting.

Residents may also attend the meeting in person and speak during the general business portion of the agenda.

Elk River may join growing pushback

No state law requires municipalities to fly the current official state flag, giving cities and counties discretion over what flags appear on local government property.

Elk River is the latest community to revisit the controversial redesign of the official state flag.

Champlin city leaders recently approved an ordinance allowing the former version of the state flag to be flown instead of the redesigned one.

Minnesota adopted the new state flag on May 11, 2024. The old flag featured the former state seal set against a blue background.

Supporters of the redesign argued the old flag lacked originality and contained racist imagery.

The new flag features a simplified design highlighting the shape of Minnesota and a North Star.

Some critics of the redesign say it bears a striking similarity to the Somali flag.

Debate over new flag continues

The redesign has remained one of Minnesota’s most heated cultural debates since it took effect.

As Alpha News previously reported, the controversy has ranged from rural counties refusing to fly the new flag to a petition demanding the old design’s return that has gathered more than 44,000 signatures.

Andrew Prekker of Luverne, whose design ultimately became the new state flag, defended the project.

“From the moment I started designing concepts for a new state flag, I always envisioned a symbol of unity for all people that reside in Minnesota,” Prekker said. “The flag is about bringing people together, representing our state, acknowledging the state’s history, and expressing the experiences we all have in common.”

Prekker also dismissed claims that the new design resembles the Somali flag.

“In the world of flag design, the two flags are completely different,” he said. “The only thing they share in common is the color blue … and a white star.”

Beyond his design work, Alpha News previously reported that Prekker’s online footprint revealed a strong political bent.

In public Facebook posts, he has voiced support for Kamala Harris, vaccines, and Transgender Day of Visibility, while repeatedly attacking President Donald Trump.

Fairgoers dish on state flag 

Last summer at the Minnesota State Fair, Alpha News heard a wide range of reactions from Minnesotans when asked about the new state flag.

“I absolutely despise it,” one fairgoer said of the redesign. Another called the new flag “a little more boring,” while others said they liked the simplified look.

Several fairgoers also said the issue should have been decided by voters.

“I think it should have been brought to an election instead of being forced down our throat,” one person said.

In 2023, Democrats in control of state government passed an omnibus bill which created a state commission to redesign the Minnesota flag and seal. Democrats specifically gave that commission the power to choose the new flag without final approval from the legislature.

Jenna Gloeb

Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.