On the Fourth of July holiday, the Black Lives Matter Utah Chapter celebrated by declaring the American flag as a symbol of racism. In a tweet that sparked a huge response, the group wrote:

“When we Black Americans see this flag we know the person flying it is not safe to be around. When we see this flag we know the person flying it is a racist. When we see this flag we know that the person flying it lives in a different America than we do. When we see this flag, we question your intelligence. We know to avoid you. It is a symbol of hatred.”

The chapter’s founder, Lex Scott, says she knew the post would garner attention. “The point of the post was to make everyone uncomfortable. The American flag is taught to us from birth to represent freedom, life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” she said.

Scott argued part of the decision was brought on by being angered by photos of the far-right group Patriot Front marching through Philadelphia on Saturday carrying American flags. “They’re flying American flags. The Ku Klux Klan is flying American flags. The Proud Boys are flying American flags” she said.

“They climbed the Capitol for their failed insurrection and were beating police officers with American flags. I have not heard any outrage from Republicans or the right about the use of the American flag as a hate symbol” she claimed.

“We are seeing that symbol used in every racist hate group’s messaging across this nation. The problem that I have is no one is addressing the people who are using it for hate. I am telling you when I see an American flag, I begin to feel fear for the simple fact that every time I am faced with hatred, it is at the hands of someone carrying an American flag” added Scott.