Posted on 07/16/2002 7:06:16 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
GULFPORT (AP) -- Harrison County will not remove the Confederate battle flag from a display on the beach, a majority of supervisors say.
Protests began about a week ago. An Alcorn State University student, who has staged a sit-in at the beach monument on the Biloxi-Gulfport line, says he will not leave until the Rebel flag comes down.
Anti- and pro-Rebel flag protests over the county's display, which have been staged on and off for years, started again last week after the sit-in began.
Last week, the county placed eight flags, including the Confederate battle banner, below the eight American flags that have flown at the display since Sept. 11.
The county has for decades had a flag display on the beach that was supposed to represent the governments that have ruled the Gulf Coast, including the Confederacy.
Federal regulations say flags of different nations should be displayed on separate poles from the American flag. Supervisors said Monday, after conferring with the county attorney, that the flags representing England, France and Spain are not the current flags of those countries.
"The flags that are flying under the American flags aren't the current flags," Supervisor Marlin Ladner said. "So it doesn't appear that we're violating the code."
Ladner and Supervisors Larry Benefield, Bobby Eleuterius and Connie Rockco voted in May to return the original eight flags to the display. Supervisor William Martin voted against it.
Eleuterius said the protests have not changed his mind. He believes the majority of voters want the Rebel flag back up.
Whitfield and others opposed to the Rebel flag have said they would end their protests if the county would replace it with the Stars and Bars of the Confederacy, which they say is the historically correct flag.
A historian supervisors hired two years ago reported the Rebel flag was historically inaccurate. However, Ladner said replacing the Rebel flag with the Confederate Stars and Bars would not change anything.
"We expected people to be down there," Benefield said. "Hopefully the demonstrations will continue to be peaceful."
Whitfield said he is prepared for a long wait.
"Mississippi never willingly does what's right," he said. "I do believe that (it will be shown) that it is morally wrong, historically wrong and economically bad for Mississippi. Once this gets national attention, we'll get our support."
Stand Proud Mississippi - you have our support!
FReepmail to get on/off the list, FRiends
Shall we plant the headstone now, or after he croaks?
Say what? Do they think by putting the National Flag up instead of the Battle Flag it will somehow change the meaning? In the eyes of these idiots wouldn't they both stand for the same thing?
Eleuterius said the protests have not changed his mind. He believes the majority of voters want the Rebel flag back up.
You think?!? We want it back in a lot of places the racist NAACP has attacked with lies and hatred. When can we get those back up? I applaud this group for refusing to bow down to the hatred from the left and uneducated
An Alcorn State University student, who has staged a sit-in at the beach monument on the Biloxi-Gulfport line, says he will not leave until the Rebel flag comes down.
You're going to get hungry!!! I say do the same to this guy that those folks are doing to that tree sitter. Refuse to allow ANYONE to bring food or water to him. If he gets hungry enough, he knows where to go. Home!!
It's sad, the NAACP could spend it's time and money on worthwhile causes - like improving the educational and leadership skills of it's members, or the eradication of poverty, drug abuse, and single unwed parents. They could promote positive programs that will demonstrate their interest in the future of their membership, their families, their hopes and their dreams. They could focus on the accomplishments of their members, the return to traditional values, and exemplify positive, unifying methodologies.
They could, but they don't. I wonder why.
Who's opressing who?
CD
Don't give in Mississippi. South Carolina gave in and was stabbed in the back. The same will happen to you. Don't worry about a boycott. The only people observing the boycott against South Carolina are the NCAA.
YYYYYYYYYYYES!!
now if we could just get Trent Lott to stand TALL!
for dixie,sw
LOL! That one brought tears to my eyes!
You've been thinking about her all day, TomServo :^D
Yeah. It's a problem. I haven't been able to leave my desk since I first saw her. :-)
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