The Growing List of MN Cities Saying ‘No’ to the North Star Flag

Minnesota unveiled a new flag back in 2024, but the debate over which one to fly continues on. The Zumbrota city council just voted to confirm that the city has no intention of adopting the new 'North Star' design for their council chambers.

With that vote, Zumbrota becomes the latest Minnesota city to join a growing "flag rebellion" across the state. Local leaders in several Minnesota communities have passed formal resolutions to keep the 1983 blue-and-gold flag flying in their chambers and on city grounds.

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Why Did Minnesota Update Its State Flag?

The former state flag depicted a Native American riding away while a white settler plowed his field, rifle in hand.

Deemed offensive by many, the design was replaced by the new 'North Star' flag, which features a dark blue shape resembling Minnesota on the left, a white eight-pointed North Star, and a light blue field intended to represent the abundant waters that define the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

At the time it was introduced, officials praised the new flag as more inclusive, but critics argue that the minimalist design fails to properly honor the state’s history.

Below is the current list of Minnesota cities and counties that have formally opted to stick with the 1983 design or officially rejected the new state flag: