The City-County Liaison Committee unanimously passed a proposal Thursday allowing the Tibetan flag to fly over City Hall during the Dalai Lama's visit May 2-4.
Although the proposal had drawn public criticism, no one turned out to speak against flying the Tibetan flag for three days next week. The proposal's critics had argued that the Dalai Lama is not a political figure.
They also said flying the flag sets a dangerous precedent in Madison. Some said if the it is raised, all flags—including the Confederate flag—would be able to fly over City Hall if a leader supporting its cause were to visit. Others said it crosses the line between church and state.
Ald. Jed Sanborn, District 1, agreed and said it was disappointing that no one showed up from the opposing side.
State Rep. Joe Parisi, D-Madison, was one of many supporters who turned out to speak in favor of the proposal. He said he was ""comfortable"" with the precedent the city set.
""The issue ... isn't about religion,"" Parisi said. ""It's about respect.""
Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and other members of the City Council expressed support earlier in the week to fly the flag under both the United States flag and the state flag.
Members of the committee also spoke with little disposition toward the proposal, but Dane County Supervisor Carousel Bayrd noted that a criteria should be set in the future. She said by setting criteria, arguments made for raising a controversial flag can be avoided.
""At some point we could cross a First Amendment violation,"" Bayrd said.
