Police station is banned from displaying 'divisive thin blue line' flag after complaints it's 'dismissive' of the Black Lives Matter movement (13 Pics)

A Maryland police department has been banned from displaying a 'thin blue line' flag after it as dubbed 'divisive' of a community, some of which argues it was 'dismissive of the Black Lives Matter movement.

On Wednesday, cops shared their intention to display the gift, with a tweet that included a picture of three cops, who appear to be white, accepting the flag from a resident and his son.

'Thank you to resident James Shelton, who presented Montgomery County 5th District officers with a wooden American Flag that he had made in recognition of National First Responders Day,' the picture was captioned. 'The flag will be displayed in the 5th District Station.'

Montgomery County 5th District tweeted thank you to resident James Shelton (second from right with his son) on Wednesday, who presented officers with a wooden American Flag

It evoked memories of 2017's Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia where one person died and dozens of others were injured when a man deliberately rammed his car into the crowd of counter-protesters

However they were stopped in their tracks after many community members responded with negative reactions.

'This flag, the symbol of 'Blue Lives Matter,' excuses police violence against black residents, and mocks those who affirm that #BlackLivesMatter,' one person tweeted. 'That is not what @MontgomeryCoMD stands for. Take down this tweet, and do not hang up that flag!'

For another, it evoked memories of 2017's Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia where one person died and dozens of others were injured when a man deliberately rammed his car into the crowd of counter-protesters.

'This is unacceptable. This flag was carried by the white supremacists in Charlottesville and has a meaning far beyond what you intend. (I hope!) Please do not raise this in a public building,' one woman responded.

'The Blue Lives Matter flag & movement were created in response to the Black Lives Matter mvmt. The primary purpose isn't to honor cops; it's to demean & diminish the Black Lives Matter mvmt—illogically, as being a cop is a choice & being Black is not. It's racist. Take it down.'

Black Lives Matter is an activist movement formed in 2013 that campaigns against violence and systemic racism toward black people.

On Friday Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich stated 'because it is divisive, the flag will not be posted in any public space within the Department'

Proponents of Blue Lives Matter say it's meant to support and honor the work and sacrifices of law enforcement officers. 

The Blue Lives Matter flag is a black-and-white American flag with a blue stripe replacing one white stripe in the middle. 

Thin Blue Line USA, which sells the flags, says the thin blue line represents offices in the line of duty and the black represents fallen officers.

One Twitter user even pointed out similarities in Shelton's shirt to the logo of a white supremacist group.

The tweeter asked: 'Is this man wearing a Hammerskins shirt along with a matching tattoo? If so, would urge the Montgomery County police to consult the Anti-Defamation League's database and decide whether hanging an object made by this person comports with department values.'

It prompted the department to deny connections to the racist organization.

'Let's take a breath here people. The shirt and tattoo are of Mr. Shelton's business, Shelton Woodworks,' they replied with the logo of Shelton's company. 'We are appreciative of Mr. Shelton's flag and it represents support for police officers and first responders everywhere.'

The Maryland community was divided in its reaction to the gift as seen in a number of tweets 

One Twitter user even pointed out similarities in Shelton's shirt to the logo of a white supremacist group

It prompted the police department to deny connections to the racist organization

However Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich ultimately decided displaying the wooden flag was a no-go.

'Acting Police Chief Marcus Jones and I understand the concerns of the community. The flag provides a symbol of support to some but it is a symbol of dismissiveness to others,' Police said Elrich wrote in a note. 'Because it is divisive, the flag will not be posted at the 5th District nor in any public space within the Police Department.

'Under my administration, we are committed to improving police relations with the community and will immediately address any action that stands against our mission.'

The decision left some in support of the flag fuming.

'For those on this thread bashing the thin blue line...wish the police could add your phone number to their database so when you call in desperate need for help they can take their sweet sweet time responding...' one social media user hit back.

Another tried to gather support by asking others to retweet her message. She posted: 'Actually, since they Can't Display this Beautiful Gift. The Father & Son should Start Making & Selling these, I know I would Definitely buy one to display at My house, because #IStandWithOurPolice! As I know Many people do. I am not Afraid to Show My Respect for the Police! RT.'

The public backlash and subsequent decision on Friday not to display it left some in support of the police flag fuming

'This is great. I love it. Unfortunately the "Black Lives Matter" movement is more important than the "Police Lives Matter"? Hello, there are many people of color on the police dept. that are very brave and very proud keeping our communities safe. "All Lives Matter", a social media user wrote.

In April, an Oregon county agreed to pay $100,000 to a black employee who sued alleging she was harassed after asking that a Blue Lives Matter flag not be displayed in the office.

Karimah Guion-Pledgure said in her January lawsuit against Multnomah County that the flag demeans the Black Lives Matter movement, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. 

She said she was harassed by others in the office after she and other black co-workers complained, and notes on a photo wall of minorities killed by cops that she erected in response, included 'thanks a lot' and 'bitch'.

Guion-Pledgure's lawsuit said the Blue Lives Matter movement 'co-opts' the Black Lives Matter movement and 'repurposes it to shift focus to law enforcement — a chosen profession, not a racial identity — and thus denigrates, dilutes, and demeans the purpose of the Black Lives Matter movement.'