This flag design was proposed by Ricardo Tomasz. It is designed to represent the now extinct California Grizzly Bear.

The California grizzly (Ursus arctos californicus) is an extinct subspecies of the grizzly, the very large North American brown bear. “Grizzly” could have meant “grizzled” (that is, with golden and grey tips of the hair) or “fear-inspiring”.^[1] Nonetheless, after careful study, naturalist George Ord formally classified it in 1815 – not for its hair, but for its character – as Ursus horribilis (“terrifying bear”).^[2] Genetically, North American grizzlies are closely related;^[3] in size and coloring, the California grizzly was much like the grizzly of the southern coast of Alaska. In California, it was particularly admired for its beauty, size, and strength. The grizzly became a symbol of the Bear Flag Republic, a moniker that was attached to the short-lived attempt by a group of American settlers to break away from Mexico in 1846. Later, this rebel flag became the basis for the state flag of California, and then California was known as the “Bear State.”^[4]

Why Flags Matter

Why Los Angeles Needs A New Flag

As was stated in the recent online petition:

Los Angeles is currently undergoing a profound transformation. Development is booming, neighborhoods are thriving, and the very heart of our city is growing and adapting to meet the demands of an ever-changing 21st century. We are not just home to celluloid dreams and iconic landscapes, but also to a growing tech industry, world-class cultural centers, and the fastest growing mass transit system in the country. We are in the midst of a stunning revival and, as such, will host the 2028 Olympics. We have set a course to strengthen and transform our city, to create a more sustainable L.A., and right now all eyes are on us. It’s time we show the world how beautiful, creative, and united we truly are. 

Sign the online petition and purchase a memento of your favorite design.