The city created the new rules at the Prairie Creek Reservoir campground in response to complaints that it has become a taxpayer-subsidized, semi-permanent trailer park nicknamed "Springerville" after the Jerry Springer television show.
Mayor Dan Canan said that he did not care about complaints that the ban violated the rights of campers.
"Their right is to go to another campground," Canan told The Star Press for a story yesterday. "We have a long waiting list for those campsites."
City Council member Mary Jo Barton said she had talked to one unhappy camper who was so angry about being forced to remove his flag that he planned to consult the American Civil Liberties Union and an attorney.
Barton said she could understand objections to the flag if it were flown at the reservoir's office. She said she did not know why it would be objectionable at individual campsites.
"To me, the city is stepping on their rights as far as freedom of speech," she said. "Granted, it's city park ground, but the campers pay money to rent that ground."
Others say the ban at the campground about 10 miles southeast of the city is justified.
"It's a recreational campground on city property," park board President John Parker said. "Once things like that (Confederate flags) start, where does it stop? Then it's Miller Lite banners. I guess we're trying to maintain a clean, family-oriented atmosphere."
Park Superintendent Ron Bonham said he had received complaints about Confederate flags last year.
"(Campers flying the flag) say they are not prejudiced, which is fine, but I don't think a public park is a place for that," Bonham said.
Muncie resident and weekend camper Richard Bellomy said he believed the ban violated his right to freedom of expression.
"This has nothing to do with prejudice," Bellomy said. "I'm just proud to be from the South. These flags are not illegal."
In a story today, The Star Press quoted Fran Quigley, executive director of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union as saying: "The law is that in a public forum such as a park speech is protected, even speech many of us would find offensive.
"The whole principle is, we let all kinds of messages be transmitted, and we don't censor them and we certainly don't favor one over another. Flags are certainly a form of speech that's protected by the First Amendment."
heritage not hate ping
How tolerant.
Phew! I feel safer already.
Obviously, then, campers should be banned from wearing FUBU clothes....
>"It's a recreational campground on city property," park board President John Parker said. "Once things like that (Confederate flags) start, where does it stop? Then it's Miller Lite banners. I guess we're trying to maintain a clean, family-oriented atmosphere." <
Ohmigosh, if we don't get a handle on this catastrophe, next thing you know campers will have NASCAR signs, and big number "3's" all over the place!
Well . . . even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Those with the Confederacy -- all civilized people -- have every right to be proud of their heritage.
Now I wonder what would happen if a group of Freeper campers had a spirited discussion about race, politics etc. around the campfire? Would they be expelled from the campground as well?
If the ACLU does not come out and defend the flag fliers, then it has no business claiming to defend civil liberties.
What a great argument for a public entity, Not!
"Mayor Dan Canan said that he did not care about complaints that the ban violated the rights of campers."
Self admitted fascist!
It actually started with Nativity scenes, and Lord only knows where it will stop.