Flag of Trenton, Georgia facts for kids
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| Use | City flag |
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| Adopted | 2001 |
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The city flag of Trenton, Georgia, United States, was chosen in 2001. It was adopted as a way to show disagreement after the state flag of Georgia was changed. This flag has caused some discussion because it includes parts of the Confederate Battle Flag.
History of the Trenton City Flag
In 1956, the state of Georgia changed its flag. The new design largely featured the Confederate battle flag. This change was made as a protest against the ending of racial segregation.
Years later, in 2001, the Georgia General Assembly, which is like Georgia's state parliament, voted to change the state flag again. The new 2001 state flag greatly reduced the size and importance of the Confederate flag design.
The city of Trenton did not agree with this new state flag. In the same year, Trenton's city leaders voted to adopt the *former* state flag (the one from 1956) as their own city flag. This was done as a protest. They also voted to display the Ten Commandments at city hall, which became official in 2002.
The State of Georgia had warned that it would stop giving money to any city that refused to fly the new state flag. Trenton found a way around this. They changed the old state flag slightly by adding the words "City of Trenton" and "Incorporated 1854" to it. Trenton also continued to fly the new Georgia state flag and the flag of the United States alongside their new city flag. This followed the state's rules.
The decision to adopt the flag was not supported by everyone. In 2004, the new mayor of Trenton, Anthony Emanuel, had the flag removed. However, a group called the Sons of Confederate Veterans objected. They felt the flag represented their heritage. Because of this, a special vote was held in 2005. The people living in Trenton voted 278 to 64 to keep the city flag.
Why Some People Criticized the Flag
Some people did not like Trenton's decision to use the old state flag as its city flag.
Tyrone Brooks, a Georgia representative who worked to change the state flag, spoke out against Trenton's choice. He said, "I thought it was a terrible mistake for them to do that. I thought it was a terrible blow to the image of their community."
One resident of Trenton also shared their thoughts. They said, "We want people here, we want people to come visit us, and not something that says, 'You know what? We like things the way they are and we are not willing to change.'"
