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In a stunning display of contempt for our nation’s most sacred symbol, Lynnwood City Councilwoman Isabel Mata used the May 4, 2026, City Council meeting to disparage the US flag, declare it unrelatable to her, and suggest that the 27 American flags flying year-round at Wilcox Park—Lynnwood’s U.S. Flag Park—should be replaced because they represent “parts of American history that, frankly, are not great.”

Mata, who admitted during her remarks that she was not even born in the United States, stated plainly: “To me, a pride flag is way more relatable than an American flag. I would not raise an American flag at my house because I wouldn’t… I wasn’t even born here. But I would raise a pride flag.”

She went on to argue that Lynnwood — “the most diverse city in all of Snohomish County” — should consider flying “27 other flags” instead of the current display honoring America’s history, questioning whether those flags still represent the community’s “values” today.

Her comments come at an especially tone-deaf moment: exactly three weeks before Memorial Day (May 25, 2026) and in the same year the United States celebrates its semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Millions of Americans will soon honor the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who gave their lives under that flag, the presidents assassinated while defending the Republic—Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy—and the thousands of civilians murdered in terrorist attacks simply for being American — from 9/11 attack to the Pulse nightclub (a gay bar in Orlando, Florida) terrorist shooting and beyond.

The Stars & Stripes represent freedom, self-government, individual liberty, and the blood-soaked sacrifices that made the United States the greatest nation on earth. To attack it so openly, especially from the dais of an elected official, is not just radical — it is profoundly un-American.

Councilwoman Mata also claimed the city has already taken a political stand because “our city logo is literally all are welcome in rainbow colors.” This is factually incorrect.

The official City of Lynnwood logo is a standard municipal design featuring a stylized blue “L” with concentric squares — not rendered in Pride/rainbow colors.

While the city has promoted a separate “All Are Welcome” decal and initiative in past years, that is distinct from the official municipal logo adopted years ago. Mata’s assertion misrepresents city branding to justify her position.

Radical Position for an Elected Official and Potential Oath Concerns

Disparaging the American flag and the history it represents is an extreme stance even for a private citizen. For a sitting member of a city council — who took an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Washington — it raises serious questions.

While the First Amendment protects speech, many residents will rightly view this as a violation of the spirit of her oath of office and a betrayal of the public trust. It sends a clear message that she cannot relate to the very nation and flag under which she serves.

In the eyes of countless veterans, first responders, and patriotic Lynnwood families, such remarks come across as deeply un-American.

This is not Mata’s first controversial stand against federal authority.

Earlier this year, just weeks into her four-year term, she aggressively pushed a resolution directing Lynnwood Police to arrest or intervene against federal law enforcement agents, including ICE, during operations within city limits. The proposal drew sharp criticism from Police Chief Cole Langdon over legal liabilities and potential violations of federal law. After pushback, Mata amended the measure, but the intent was clear: prioritize local resistance to federal immigration enforcement over cooperation with national law enforcement.

Lynnwood residents — many of whom have family who served under the American flag, many of whom are proud naturalized citizens who do relate to what Old Glory stands for — deserve elected leaders who respect the symbols of the country that gives them the privilege to serve. Councilwoman Mata’s remarks suggest she does not.

We at the Lynnwood Times stand unequivocally with the American flag, the men and women who died for it, and the principles it represents — especially as we approach Memorial Day and our nation’s 250th birthday.

Lynnwood will be holding its next business meeting at 6 p.m., May 11, 2026. I am encouraging all residents to show up to the City Council and let the council know you love America and support the U.S. Flag!

Feel free to email the Lynnwood City Council to let them know how you feel: Contact the City Council

Lynnwood Councilwoman Isabel Mata’s statement in its entirety on the US Flag

“To me, a pride flag is way more relatable than an American flag. I would not raise an American flag at my house because I wouldn’t…I wasn’t even born here. But I would raise a pride flag. And as the most diverse city in all of Snohomish County, I don’t think that I’m the only one who…who would maybe choose to have 27 other flags in Flag Park.

“Does this park represent the values that were here in this 1960s when they established this park?

“Do we hold those same values now, and are they representative of the Lynnwood as we see it today?

“Because if we’re having this issue of we have so many things that we want to represent, this community is filled with so many beautiful cultures and diverse backgrounds and all of these things, yet we have 27 iterations of the same flag, some representing parts of American history that, frankly, are not great.

“Is there something different that we could do that fixes this issue altogether where maybe these aren’t flags that could be up year-round that represent our community.

“The last thing I want to say is yes it’s a political statement but our city logo is literally all are welcome in rainbow colors. So, we’ve like we’ve already made a decision as a city where we stand politically. I think that’s very, very, clear so to me that is something I would feel so comfortable doing is raising that [pride] flag in Wilcox Park and raising so many other flags that represent who we are.

“So, wrap it all together. Maybe this is bigger than just seasonally raising these flags based on these proclamations. Maybe it’s a time that we look at that park and ‘those’ flags all together and find a long-term solution that is more representative of the people of Lynnwood.”

Commentary by Mario Lotmore, Publisher of the Lynnwood Times