mr.mojo
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www.thestate.com
The battle over the Confederate flag --a dual symbol of Southern pride and Southern bigotry (and more Southern pride) --is alive and well in South Carolina.
Even at a public gathering at which it doesn't fly.
Witness the planning for the Pee Dee Patriotic Parade in Florence to honor U.S. troops around the world.
At issue was whether to allow the Sons of Confederate Veterans --who proudly wave the banner at public events across the state --to march in the Sept. 10 parade.
The mayor's office was in a quandary.
The SCV's Pee Dee chapter, headed by Lt. Commander Ron York, applied in July to participate in the parade. It heard nothing for weeks.
We never got any confirmation, York says. We kept calling the mayor'
s office because that's where the parade was being
headed up. They told us that they would be sending out an information packet soon.
Just two days before the event, the SCV received a letter stating it was being denied entry into the parade because, basically, the city didn't think the organization fit in.
The letter was signed by Tom Shearin, special services administrator. Shearin says he didn't think the SCV's participation would be conducive to bringing the community together. He did not feel comfortable letting the SCV march.
" was shocked, said York, who served 12 years in the Marines. We are just as patriotic as the next fellow.
In its application, the SCV had agreed to abide by the two rules set by the parade organizers. No candy would be thrown to the parade watchers and only two flags would be carried, the U.S. and S.C. banners.
York called the mayor's office and asked on what grounds the SCV was being denied a parade perm
it.
He says he was told it all had to do with the organizations identity with the Confederate flag.
The SCV assured the city it would not bring the controversial flag. The only place the flag would be displayed would be in the group's logo on the banner identifying who they were.
That didn't satisfy Shearin.
York contacted Mayor Frank Willis, a Democratic candidate for governor.
" asked him to allow us to participate in the parade, York says. " told him we were not there to cause a scene. He told us he didn't have anything to do with the parade and referred us to some city councilman.
The SCV got cracking. Its attorney threatened legal action. Members from all over the state began calling the mayor's office arguing they were being denied their First Amendment rights to participate in a public parade.
We wanted the mayor's office to come to their senses, York says. We didn't want to cause a big stink, but when you're backed into a corner, you've got to stand
up for
what you believe.
Just hours before the
parade, the SCV was notified it could participate in the parade.
Lonnie Randolph, president of the S.C. chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said the SCV should never have been allowed to march in a patriotic parade.
Their constitution is anti-American, Randolph says. We treat them like they are good ol' Southern boys. They are anti-American.
Willis --who can't afford to alienate Democratic donors on the one hand , but needs to court conservative Republicans on the other --eventually got off the fence.
" never opposed them marching, Willis says. "t's a public parade. There is no reason not to let them march.
York is willing to give Willis the benefit of the doubt.
Said York, " don't want to be too hard on the mayor because he and his people did back down.
www.thestate.com
The battle over the Confederate flag --a dual symbol of Southern pride and Southern bigotry (and more Southern pride) --is alive and well in South Carolina.
Even at a public gathering at which it doesn't fly.
Witness the planning for the Pee Dee Patriotic Parade in Florence to honor U.S. troops around the world.
At issue was whether to allow the Sons of Confederate Veterans --who proudly wave the banner at public events across the state --to march in the Sept. 10 parade.
The mayor's office was in a quandary.
The SCV's Pee Dee chapter, headed by Lt. Commander Ron York, applied in July to participate in the parade. It heard nothing for weeks.
We never got any confirmation, York says. We kept calling the mayor'
s office because that's where the parade was being
headed up. They told us that they would be sending out an information packet soon.
Just two days before the event, the SCV received a letter stating it was being denied entry into the parade because, basically, the city didn't think the organization fit in.
The letter was signed by Tom Shearin, special services administrator. Shearin says he didn't think the SCV's participation would be conducive to bringing the community together. He did not feel comfortable letting the SCV march.
" was shocked, said York, who served 12 years in the Marines. We are just as patriotic as the next fellow.
In its application, the SCV had agreed to abide by the two rules set by the parade organizers. No candy would be thrown to the parade watchers and only two flags would be carried, the U.S. and S.C. banners.
York called the mayor's office and asked on what grounds the SCV was being denied a parade perm
it.
He says he was told it all had to do with the organizations identity with the Confederate flag.
The SCV assured the city it would not bring the controversial flag. The only place the flag would be displayed would be in the group's logo on the banner identifying who they were.
That didn't satisfy Shearin.
York contacted Mayor Frank Willis, a Democratic candidate for governor.
" asked him to allow us to participate in the parade, York says. " told him we were not there to cause a scene. He told us he didn't have anything to do with the parade and referred us to some city councilman.
The SCV got cracking. Its attorney threatened legal action. Members from all over the state began calling the mayor's office arguing they were being denied their First Amendment rights to participate in a public parade.
We wanted the mayor's office to come to their senses, York says. We didn't want to cause a big stink, but when you're backed into a corner, you've got to stand
up for
what you believe.
Just hours before the
parade, the SCV was notified it could participate in the parade.
Lonnie Randolph, president of the S.C. chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said the SCV should never have been allowed to march in a patriotic parade.
Their constitution is anti-American, Randolph says. We treat them like they are good ol' Southern boys. They are anti-American.
Willis --who can't afford to alienate Democratic donors on the one hand , but needs to court conservative Republicans on the other --eventually got off the fence.
" never opposed them marching, Willis says. "t's a public parade. There is no reason not to let them march.
York is willing to give Willis the benefit of the doubt.
Said York, " don't want to be too hard on the mayor because he and his people did back down.