The origins of the disputed "Appeal to Heaven" flag relations.
The Appeal to Heaven flag, also known as the Pine Tree flag, is a historical symbol that has different interpretations and was used in various capacities. It once served as a naval ensign in Massachusetts until 1971 and flew alongside other historic flags outside San Francisco's city hall.
Let's explore its rich background and why it might be controversial now.
What is the Appeal to Heaven flag?
The Appeal to Heaven flag consists of a green pine tree on a white field with the words "An Appeal to Heaven" written in black above it. The flag was commissioned during George Washington's leadership of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. The phrase "An Appeal to Heaven" comes from a quote by John Locke, a British philosopher, in his "Second Treatise on Government," which outlines the rights of people when their rights are violated or ruled by an unjust government:
"When the body of the people, or any single man, is deprived of his right, or is under the exercise of a power without right, and has no appeal on earth, then he has a liberty to appeal to heaven, whenever he judges the cause of sufficient moment."
The pine tree became a symbol of American resistance following the Pine Tree Riot, one of several conflicts between the American colonists and British royal powers that led to the American Revolution. The tree represents resistance and has been featured on some state flags and seals. It's also a beloved regional symbol in New England. A similar flag featuring a green pine on a white background on a red field is widely used in the region.
How the flag became linked to far-right politics
The Appeal to Heaven flag has now been associated with American far-right movements and supporters of former President Donald Trump. It's appeared at Trump rallies, and it was displayed among the crowds during the January 6 insurrection. It's also a part of Christian Nationalist rhetoric.
However, the connection of the flag to far-right politics actually began much earlier – and the American Revolution is a crucial reason why.
"The flag is part of a broader effort by the far right to recall the principles of the American Revolution and import them into antidemocratic efforts," says Jemar Tisby, an author and professor at Simmons College in Kentucky who studies Christian nationalism.
The American Revolution is seen by these groups as a "righteous rebellion against an unjust, intrusive government," Tisby adds, and thus a valuable source of symbols and ideologies for their current political objectives.
This theme can be traced back to the emergence of the tea party movement, a political movement related to far-right populism that started in response to President Barack Obama's first term around 2009. The tea party called for reduced government influence but also had racial animosity towards Obama. It had a significant impact on the Republican Party and was leveraged by Trump in his successful 2016 presidential campaign.
In 2015, another Revolutionary-era flag, the Gadsden flag, also experienced a resurgence. The Gadsden flag portrays a black snake on a yellow background with the words "Don't Tread on Me." It's a popular symbol among libertarian and conservative groups and is often flown at far-right gatherings.
In 2015, the Appeal to Heaven flag's popularity surged thanks to Dutch Sheets, a well-known conservative Christian author and pastor. Sheets organized a nationwide tour called "An Appeal to Heaven" that year, where he linked the flag and the American Revolution with Christian nationalism.
During a tour stop in Ohio in 2015, Sheets discussed the Supreme Court's recent decision on same-sex marriage and abortion rights:
"It's not settled law until God says it's settled law, and we're going to change these things. There has to be a hope that comes. If we appeal to heaven, he can turn this thing around."
This is another way the flag can be co-opted by Christian nationalists, Tisby states:
"This is why the Appeal to Heaven flag is also a symbol of White Christian nationalism, because it links their cause to God's will as an appeal to heaven or a higher power. That way, the movement appears to transcend political earthly authority and becomes a divine right."
Recent events have shed new light on the flag's meanings
Before all this, the Appeal to Heaven flag was relatively unknown in the public consciousness. When the Associated Press contacted Speaker Mike Johnson about the one displayed outside his office, he claimed he was unaware that the flag was associated with far-right politics or the "Stop the Steal" movement.
"People misuse our symbols all the time. It doesn’t mean we don’t use the symbols anymore," he said.
Alito argued that the flag flying outside his vacation home was chosen by his wife and was an homage to George Washington.
"I had no knowledge of any affiliation between the historic flag and the 'Stop the Steal Movement'. My wife was not involved either. The flying of a historical flag by a different group does not eliminate the significance of its previous meanings," Alito stated in a letter addressing his decision not to withdraw from cases related to the 2020 presidential election and the January 6th insurrection.
A controversial incident concerning an upside-down American flag outside Alito's house also arose in early 2021, which is often interpreted as a representation of a nation in distress. Alito attributed this decision to his wife as well.
Meanwhile, the controversial history of the Appeal to Heaven flag is surfacing. This week, San Francisco decided to remove an Appeal to Heaven flag that was hanging alongside other flags in front of City Hall.
"The Appeal to Heaven flag was originally flown during the American Revolutionary War by George Washington's cruisers. It symbolizes the initial pursuit of American independence. However, it has recently been embraced by an opposing group that does not align with the city's values, resulting in us replacing it with the American flag," San Francisco Recreation and Parks' communications manager Daniel Montez informed CNN.
Josh Du Lac from CNN provided additional details to the story.
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The flag was also displayed among supporters of former President Donald Trump during his rallies and was present among the crowds during the January 6 insurrection, further linking it to far-right politics in the United States.
In an attempt to reclaim the symbol and associate it with Christian nationalism, Dutch Sheets organized a nationwide tour called "An Appeal to Heaven" in 2015, which gained popularity for the flag and its revolutionary origins.
