The blood stained symbol of the Black Crest in the council chambers.
The Black Crest were a militaristic faction within the Gorn Hegemony that opposed peaceful relations with the Federation and advocated for more aggressive actions for the expansion of the Gorn empire. In late 2374, they launched a successful coup and overthrew the government. They then launched attacks on several nearby Federation targets, including Cestus III. However, they were repelled by Commander William T. Riker and a group of Klingons. (TNG comic: "The Gorn Crisis")