BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—A recent incident in Bucyrus, has sparked controversy and raised concerns about the freedom of expression and the rise of bullying in society.
Carolyn Shireman, a Bucyrus City Councilwoman, residing in the Ridgewood Senior Villas, faced backlash and threats for flying her American Flag upside down.
Shireman’s decision to display the flag in this manner was met with disapproval from neighboring residents, including Christine Romine, who resides in a complex nearby.
Romine confronted Shireman and later made a police report after a heated exchange, where she shamed and bullied Shireman for her flag display. Despite the confrontation, Shireman was informed by the police that she was within her Constitutional rights to fly her flag upside down.
Romine then sent a letter to the City of Bucyrus complaining about Shireman and why she was permitted to be on the council. After Romine was directed by city staff on how to send her complaint, The City Council President declined to include the letter in their agenda, recognizing Shireman’s right to free expression.
Crawford County Now reached out to Romine and received this comment:
“The Letter I wrote was intended for Bucyrus City Council, NOT FOR YOU to make yourself a STORY!
You KEEP my NAME OUT OF IT!! It’s really NONE of your BUSINESS!
There’s MY COMMENT!!!” Romine wrote.
The Ridgewood Senior Villas manager, Jackie Dorsey verified to Crawford County Now that there is no stipulation in Shireman’s lease that prohibits her from displaying her flag upside down.
The act of flying the American Flag upside down is a form of protest or dissent, signaling dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs and calling for change. The expression dates back some fifty years.
In Spence v. Washington (1974), the Supreme Court upheld the right of a student to display a U.S. flag upside down from his dorm room with a black peace sign taped on it.
Shireman believes that the country is not living up to its principles and felt compelled to make a statement through her flag display.
Since the online posts about the flag, others have supported Shireman and some have turned their own flags upside down.
However, the incident also shed light on a more troubling trend of bullying individuals because of their personal beliefs and expressions, especially online.
Shireman’s experience extended beyond the physical confrontation, as she has, in the past, faced online attacks and bullying on social media platforms.
Shireman fires right back at her attackers. That she admits, caused more tension overall. Shireman is quick to note that she is sometimes blunt but has her constituent’s best interests at heart.
These attacks, according to Shireman, are pure retaliation attributed to Shireman’s inquiries about unethical practices within the council and the Bratwurst Festival.
The council recently voted to terminate a contract with the festival that provides safety forces and trash pickup to the festival at no cost. This year’s festival will still receive the services.
Next year the city’s contribution, if any, will be decided before the festival.
The decision was made in part because of the Bratwurst Festival’s refusal to provide their financial records as the city requested.
Despite the challenges and online bullying, Shireman pursued her concerns with the Ohio Ethics Commission, the Ohio Attorney General, and the IRS.
She has not yet received a response from those agencies.
This incident underscores the importance of respecting individuals’ rights to express their thoughts and beliefs, as guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Online bullying can have serious consequences. A full 41% of Americans say they have been bullied online as seen in Shireman’s case.
Shireman said she had to seek medical attention and even contemplated resigning from the council due to the harassment she faced.