COUNCIL REFERRAL MEMORANDUM
To: Hayward Mayor and City Council
From: Council Members
Angela Andrews and Elisa Marquez and Aisha Wahab
Subject: Pan African Flag Referral
Date: 2/3/22
Background:
As we continue our efforts to acknowledge the need for diversity, inclusion, and equity it is time for
the city to acknowledge the existence and meaning of the Pan African Flag. Pan-African flag, (also called the Marcus Garvey, Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) flag, Afro-Am
erican or Black Liberation flag). The flag was created in 1920 by the UNIA, founded by Marcus
Garvey, in response to a popular song called, "Every Race Has a Flag But the Coon." composed
in 1900. The song suggested that even after emancipation, Black People were not considered residents of the United States or any country. The flag is a symbol of freedom for the African
Diaspora across the world including the United States.
Each color has special meaning:
● Red: Blood shed by Africans who died in their fight for liberation, and the shared blood of the African people.
● Black: Represents Black People
● Green: Symbol of growth and the natural fertility of Africa Below is a list of suggested next steps that should be evaluated and discussed further:
1. Confirm with GARE team and NAACP Hayward/South Alameda County Chapter selection of flag prior to placement
2. Coordinate with staff to raise the Pan African Flag for Black History Month, Juneteenth, and August 17th acknowledging the birthday of Marcus Garvey Timeline: Remainder of February 2022
______________________ ______________________ _____________________ Angela Andrews Elisa Marquez Aisha Wahab
Hayward City Council Member Hayward City Council Member Hayward City Council Member
References:
https://www.nj.com/mercer/2022/02/pan-african-flag-flies-at-nj-city-hall-in-honor-of-black-history- month.html
https://nbc24.com/news/local/local-leaders-raise-pan-african-flag-at-one-government-center-for- black-history-month
https://www.bestcolleges.com/blog/pan-african-flag-meaning/ https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/06/14/532667081/on-flag-day-remembering-the-r ed-black-and-green
https://www.csusm.edu/bsc/pan-afflag.html#:~:text=Red%3A%20the%20blood%20that%20unite s,wealth%20of%20Africa%2C%20the%20Motherland.
https://www.panafricanalliance.com/rbg-flag/