Posted on 07/13/2002 1:35:19 PM PDT by stainlessbanner
GULFPORT, Miss. - (KRT) - A decision by Harrison County supervisors to fly the Rebel flag at the Eight Flags display has forced the lid off simmering unrest that could boil over this weekend and draw national attention to Mississippi.
On Friday, protesters both for and against the Rebel flag staged peaceful demonstrations at the Gulfport-Biloxi city lines. Saturday, a group led by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People have scheduled press conferences.
Supervisors took the controversial flag down two years ago amid protests and flag thefts, but officials agreed in May to return the flag to the display along with seven others that serve as representatives of the governments that have ruled here since 1699.
American flags had filled the display after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and continue to fly there today just above the historical flags, even though the display violates the federal flag code by flying the U.S. flag on the same staffs with flags of other countries. Some see it as a reminder of the state's heritage and others see it as a symbol of hatred and racism.
On Friday, the two Rebel flag factions marked their spots at the flag display, with flag opponents on the Gulfport side and flag supporters some 40 yards away on the Biloxi side.
The flag protest started when Alcorn State University Senior Jason Whitfield went to the beach on Wednesday and vowed to stay until the Rebel flag is removed.
Two days later, he had gained the support of more than 40 others who have set up camp next to him, bringing canopies and chairs, water and sodas, red beans and rice, salads, hamburgers and more.
"The Rebel flag represents hatred," Whitfield said Friday. "It represents oppression. It represents the Confederacy, which was an enemy of the United States. It represents nothing positive. What good has that flag ever contributed to society?
"I learned about that flag in school. I learned that the flag was disrespectful by seeing the Ku Klux Klan flying the flag all the time. That's pretty clear cut to me."
Rebel flag supporters also huddled in a group at the beach display.
Biloxi resident Terry Lee Gregory Sr., 29, and his 10-year-old son were among those at the Friday protest fighting for the Rebel Flag. "I have relatives who died under that flag," he said. "They had no choice. This flag is not about hate. It's about heritage."
Gregory spent most the day around four or five other men who also supported the raising of the Rebel flag. The men frequently used racial slurs when asked to explain why they felt so passionate about the Rebel flag.
Ron Sisk, a storeowner in McHenry who sells Rebel flag T-shirts and other souvenirs, showed off his 20-foot Rebel flag with friends at one point in the day. Sisk also used a video camera to tape the action, mostly filming those protesting the flag-raising.
Gretchen Robinson of Gulfport stopped by the protest almost by accident. She heard about it on the radio and road by the beach.
"At a time when our nation is at war, we shouldn't be fighting," Robinson said. "Mississippi doesn't want to be looked upon as a divided state. I can understand heritage but that should be kept at home."
"Slavery represents oppression. It represents the Confederacy. It represents nothing positive. What good has slavery ever contributed to society? Seeing black people reminds me of slavery. They should all be removed so we are not constantly reminded of this terrible time in our history.
Goose, meet gander.
---
free dixie NOW,sw
Now that is commiting a sacrifice for "the cause"! LOL
Backwards.
Renaming the cities and streets sbould be fun to.
I guess we could go with MLK, MLK#1,MLK#2 MLK#3 and so on!
and throw in a few Evers and Kennedys for good measure
When Georgia and South Carolina were going thru the NAACP shakedowns on their flags, Jeb just removed the Florida display all together. Nary a word on it. Revisionist.
Hey, Jason, Booo...Hoooo...Hoooo. Get a job, son. Sitting on the beach won't pull your sorry butt up out of slavery.
Twodees, that was my first thought: Get a Job! This guy is probably collecting unemployment while he protests and has a grant for school - paid for with taxpayer money.
Based on his comments, he hasn't learned anything in college.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.