Vanc. apartment managers ban residents from flying American flags

Two residents of the Brandt complex wave flags outside their home. The company that manages the complex has banned the display of flags under a signage rule.

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Story Published: Sep 11, 2008 at 8:18 AM PST

By Melanie Wingo, Joe English and KATU Web Staff

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VANCOUVER, Wash. – Operators of a Vancouver, Wash. Apartment complex subsidized by the taxpayer-funded Department of Housing and Urban Development, also known as HUD, have told residents they cannot fly or display American flags on or in their homes.

Residents of the Brandt Terrace apartment complex received a letter in August saying they could be evicted for displaying “signage” on their homes, including flags.

The ban extended to displaying flags in windows or putting small flags in planters or other outside locations.

The ban does not sit well with residents, including a Vietnam veteran, many of whom wanted to fly American flags on Thursday, the seventh anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.

Some residents continued to display flags on their property in defiance of the directive.

A manager at the complex, Dariya Tinkova, told KATU News she was “following the community rules” in enforcing the ban but would not say who was making the rules.

KATU News has tried to contact officials at HUD for clarification after a thorough search of their Web site failed to find any stipulation or rules against flying American flags on HUD properties.

The Al Angelo Company operates the complex in Vancouver. Al Angelo officials were not available for comment early Thursday.

The letter below was sent to tenants in August.

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