Feb. 10 (UPI) — The National Park Service removed a Pride flag from the Stonewall National Monument in New York City.
The monument is in Greenwich Village, and it commemorates the Stonewall Inn, a Manhattan gay bar that was the epicenter of the 1969 Stonewall riots. The Stonewall uprising kicked off a new battle for gay rights.
Former President Barack Obama made Christopher Park, across the street from the bar, a national monument in 2016. The NPS has flown Pride flags since it became a monument.
A spokesperson for the parks service cited new rules requiring that “only the U.S. flag and other congressionally or departmentally authorized flags are flown on NPS-managed flagpoles, with limited exceptions,” the spokesperson told NBC News. “Any changes to flag displays are made to ensure consistency with that guidance. Stonewall National Monument continues to preserve and interpret the site’s historic significance through exhibits and programs.”
Gay City News first reported the removal, which took place Monday.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said he was outraged by the removal and vowed to protect the LGBTQ+ community in the city.
“New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and no act of erasure will ever change, or silence, that history,” Mamdani said in a post on X.
“Our city has a duty not just to honor this legacy, but to live up to it,” he said. “I will always fight for a New York City that invests in our LGBTQ+ community, defends their dignity, and protects every one of our neighbors — without exception.”
“The flag is more than just a flag, it represents the rich history of our community; it represents our struggle, it represents the rainbow of people within our community.”
In February 2025, the Trump administration removed mentions of “queer” and “transgender” from the website of the monument.
Left to right, fashion designer Michael Kors, Ann Marie Gothard, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Google CFO Ruth Porat use ceremonial shovels to lift the symbolic rainbow-colored dirt at the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center groundbreaking ceremony outside of the Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 24, 2022. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
TODAY bosses have beefed up police and security presence at the NBC morning show’s NYC studio after co-anchor Savannah Guthrie’s mother was allegedly abducted from her home.
Multiple sources have exclusively told The U.S. Sun that the network made the decision for the health and safety of their Today talent and crew members out of an “abundance of caution.”
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Savannah Guthrie is seen on the set of Today on November 29, 2017 in New York CityCredit: GettyThe Today show studios are located in midtown ManhattanCredit: AlamySavannah is very close to her mom Nancy, who was declared missing on SundayCredit: Instagram/savannahguthrie
Beloved Today host Savannah‘s mother Nancy, 84, was reported missing from her Tucson, Arizona home on Sunday morning, February 1.
“Things are tense at the studio, and that as a result, NBC has stepped up security for on-air talent,” a source told The U.S. Sun, though it’s unclear if Savannah, 54, or any Today hosts were also targeted by the perpetrators.
“NBC has partnered with the NYPD to make sure their staff remains safe, out of an abundance of caution.”
A separate insider confirmed both cops and private security are stationed at the midtown studio and offices.
The U.S. Sun has reached out to the NYPD and NBC for comment.
Timeline of Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance
Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of Today show co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, disappeared from her home on February 1, 2026.
Timeline:
January 31: Family members dropped off Guthrie, 84, at her home in Tucson, Arizona, at around 9:45 pm.
February 1: The Pima County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 missing person call at noon.
Pima County Sheriff Christopher Nanos said the scene found at Guthrie’s home caused “grave concern.”
February 2: Nanos said investigators are probing Guthrie’s case as a crime, adding that officials do not believe the 84-year-old voluntarily walked out of her home.
The Pima County sheriff said Guthrie has “limited mobility” and is in dire need of her daily medication, which if she does not take could be “fatal.”
Savannah Guthrie released a statement to her co-hosts at Today, saying, “On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers and messages of support. Right now, our focus remains on the safe return of our dear mom.”
Savannah missed the February 2 edition of Today as she flew to Arizona to assist in the search for her mother.
SAVANNAH’S SUPPORT TEAM
Savannah’s Today colleagues have been sending her love and prayers as they address the devastating case on air.
“Sending our love, my friend,” Sheinelle Jones said on Monday.
“On behalf of our family, I want to thank everyone for the thoughts, prayers, and messages of support,” the statement read.
“Right now, our focus remains on he safe return of our dear mom.”
Jenna Bush Hager, Savannah’s longtime close friend, held back tears as she discussed the news on live TV.
“We are thinking of our dearest, dearest Savannah and her whole family this morning,” she said.
MYSTERY DEEPENS
The FBI has joined the search for Nancy, and addressed the public at a press conference on Tuesday.
Special Agent Jon Edwards insisted the FBI is doing “everything in their power to bring Nancy Guthrie home to her family.”
“We’re downloading and analyzing cellphones, obtaining cell tower information, conducting interviews, and providing any and all investigative support that the sheriff’s department needs,” he said.
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos then admitted “we’re stumped,” adding they do not currently have any strong leads in the case.
A possible ransom note was reported by TMZ, and cops said they are “taking all tips and leads very seriously.”
Though there were reportedly signs of forced entry at Nancy’s suburban Tucson home, police have said they don’t believe a robbery was behind the abduction.
“I wish somebody would call us and say, ‘Hey,’ because that’s what the family wants,” Sheriff Nanos told Us Weekly.
“They just want her back. ‘Hey, no questions asked, call us where to come and get her, and we’ll do that.”
Nancy reportedly left her iPhone, watch, car and wallet at home.
A splatter of blood belonging to Nancy was also found on the property.
Savannah Guthrie’s full statement on mom’s disappearance
We believe in prayer. we believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. we believe in goodness. we believe in humanity. above all, we believe in Him.
thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment.
we need you.
“He will keep in perfect peace those whose hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” a verse of Isaiah for all time for all of us.
Bring her home.
‘BELIEVE IN PRAYER’
Savannah recently posted another statement to her Instagram, asking fans to continue their prayers.
“We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. we believe in goodness. we believe in humanity. above all, we believe in Him,” she said.
Savannah’s husband, Michael Feldman, also spoke out about the tragic case.
Michael told Page Six that he feels “mostly unhelpful” in the disappearance.
He thanked the media’s “thoughtfulness” in their coverage.
Members of the public with any information are urged to call 911 or the Pima County Sheriff’s Department at 520-351-4900.
Nancy’s neighbors showed their support near her Tucson-area homeCredit: The U.S. SunSavannah posted with mom Nancy on Thursday, June 15, 2023Credit: GettyPima County Sheriff Chris Nanos has given press conferences to update reportersCredit: WINK