A Statement Addressing the Newberg Flagpole as a Memorial and Assembly Site
January 29, 2026
We would like to clarify some details around the use of the Newberg Flagpole and surrounding area as a site to construct memorials. While the City of Newberg deeply regrets loss of life due to political violence or any death in our country, we must recognize that public property is intended for everyone’s use. We have no problem with community members expressing their First Amendment rights to assembly and petition by gathering at the Flagpole at the east entrance of downtown Newberg, and we have also allowed community members to place memorial items around and on the flagpole to process grief, frustration, and disagreement with events affecting our state, country or world.
We developed a policy that items placed at the flagpole would be allowed to remain in place for 30 days from the initial event where the memorial was put up. We have posted a sign notifying community members of the date of removal of the items. Additional items added to the memorial after the initial event and before the posted removal date will not be considered as ‘extending’ the removal date of the memorial.
For clarity, we do not issue permits for memorials. No formal permit has been issued for the memorial currently in place at the flagpole. We have posted a courtesy notice at this location notifying organizers that the items will be respectfully removed by February 9, 2026. This is the only formal notice that has been posted. There was also no permit issued for the memorial to Charlie Kirk several months ago, but a notice was posted at the location with a date of removal.
We would like to remind the community that the safety of everyone in Newberg is our top priority and ask that anyone placing items at memorial sites remain considerate of access needs for those who use our sidewalks. We request that memorials are kept clean and out of the way of pedestrian walkways. Items that fall off into walkways or roads will be removed.
Questions or concerns may be directed to publicaffairs@newbergoregon.gov
