Clifton City Hall Raises WFWP Flag

Through the determined efforts of Claire Haider, Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP) Chairwoman of Paterson, NJ, the WFWP flag was proudly raised outside Clifton City Hall for seven days.

The city of Clifton has a long-standing tradition of displaying flags outside of its City Hall, in particular a large collection of U.S. flags honoring veterans exhibited five times a year. While the vast majority are U.S. flags, every now and then there is a special flag-raising ceremony for a particular nation or group.

After seeing the flags of other organizations being displayed, Mrs. Haider went to Clifton City Hall and inquired how WFWP could also have their flag raised. She was told to submit a letter of request, and promptly asked the WFWP USA national office for support. They provided an eloquent letter introducing the organization and its chapters nationwide. According to Mrs. Haider, City Hall was so impressed with the letter and WFWP’s general consultative status with the UN that it took them no more than 10 minutes to respond and agree to honor their flag! WFWP’s great track record “can open up so many doors,” Mrs. Haider emphasized.

The date was set for June 29, where around 90 people attended to witness the flag-raising ceremony. Among the notable guests were the Clifton mayor, James Anzaldi, and local Councilwoman, Lauren E. Murphy.

Nora Waldmann set the tone as she sang the national anthem. After a welcome by emcee Meadow Talakson, Pastor Manoj Jacob of the Clifton Family Church offered an opening prayer.

WFWP USA Vice President Juanita Pierre-Louis, representing the national office, gave a powerful introduction to WFWP, their vision and mission. She spoke with great enthusiasm, and emphasized the important role of women and their value before God.

In his address, Mayor Anzaldi spoke about the wonderful diversity represented in Clifton and how he wants to proudly display it. He shared that even though he gets pushback for it, he believes the diverse display of organizations at City Hall respects our nation’s freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

Mayor Anzaldi permitted the flag to remain raised for a total of seven days, whereas generally a flag is taken down after a day. On July 4, the WFWP flag was the only flag among 2,500 flags at Clifton City Hall that didn’t represent a state or government. Mrs. Haider later shared, “It was an incredible sight. I lost my breath [seeing the flag].”

Inspired by this success, Mrs. Haider has proceeded to ask coffee shops and other public areas to show the WFWP flag, and encourages other WFWP chapters to do the same.