3′ x 5′ Indianapolis “No Mean City” flag with grommets and double-stitched edges to reduce fraying.
✍️ The Design:
Indy resident and former U.S. President Benjamin Henry Harrison said “I am, myself, a citizen of no mean city.” in a 1897 speech. This phrase “No Mean City” is borrowed from the bible and it’s context has been changed, but after being adopted by other Indianapolis politicians, it became a nickname for Indy. It is even inscribed on the cornerstone of the Old City Hall.
This moniker for Indy slowly fell out of use until 2015, when citizens were fighting an effort to ban gay marriage in the legislature.
“No Mean City” means that Indy is a welcoming place, one that accepts people for who they are.