" around the country that get funds from the Department of Homeland Security—warning that "extremists may utilize such a high profile funeral for media attention or to further ideological belief.
The funeral got little media attention, but the image of this flag did from the fusion center.
The report includes several "visual indicators" to help police determine whether they're dealing with "extremist and disaffected individuals." The fusion center bulletin went on to say that these individuals may adhere to a sovereign citizen ideology, and may not recognize law enforcement as a legitimate authority.
Although "some or parts of these symbols are representative of patriotic and American revolutionary themes," the report says, "they are often associated with extremism."
The Gadsden flag has most recently gotten associated with several political movements, such as the Tea Party protests. For other groups it is a more generic patriotic symbol, a famous Revolutionary War banner featuring a coiled rattlesnake and the slogan "Don't Tread on Me."
It can be seen here in downtown Mesa flying high above the classroom building at Heritage Academy, a public charter school at 42 S Center Street across from the Mesa Arts Center.
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