Rallies for, against Confederate flag duel at Gettysburg

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

The only place this flag of treason and racism belongs is in a museum.


GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Supporters and opponents of use of the Confederate flag clashed verbally in opposing demonstrations at Gettysburg National Military Park, with tensions high at times.

Cumberland Township police and park officers had to separate a few people Saturday afternoon before disagreements became physical, Hanover's The Evening Sun newspaper (http://bit.ly/1QBExoS) reported.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans Gettysburg group said its Confederate Flag Day gathering at the park's Eternal Peace Light Monument was intended to honor Southern ancestors.

A counter-demonstration was organized by a Gettysburg College associate professor of history and Africana studies, Scott Hancock, who said he wanted to offer a different perspective on the flag's meaning.

Other than trading insults and invective, there were few interactions between the opposing groups, which were separated by a few hundred feet and two portable fences.

The park features relics of the 1863 Battle of Gettysburg and the people who fought in the Civil War. Chief ranger Jeremy Murphy said he hadn't seen a similar situation at the park since a Ku Klux Klan rally in June 2014.

"They were both of a similar nature. We had a group of people to have a program on one side and counter-demonstrators on the other," he said. "There's always the potential for violent situations, which is why we're out here trying to maintain neutral ground."

Marcia Laughman, of York, said she went to the Confederate Flag Day event with her husband and son to show her support. She said she views the flag as a way to celebrate her heritage and ancestors.

Christina Hansen, former professor at Gettysburg College, said she thought there were other ways to celebrate Southern heritage, comparing the flag to the swastika used by the Nazis.


http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/rallies-for-against-confederate-flag-duel-at-gettysburg/ar-BBqo0Ot?ocid=spartanntp

[Warren Stupidity]

1. I think these racists should go and reflect on

how massively stupid their great general lee was.

[bravenak]

2. Yes.nt

[dflprincess]

3. Lee probably would not approve of these idiots.

He took the oath of allegiance to the Union after the war; he made it clear there were to be no Confederate trappings at his funeral when that time came; and when asked by someone what to do with the flag he told them to fold it and put it in a drawer.

[Agnosticsherbet]

4. This conflict should remain burred with those who gave their lives in that clause.

rather than be resurrected for political purposes.

[HassleCat]

5. The flag belongs there but only in historical context.

Battlefields usually have relics, including flags of both sides involved in a battle. In addition, there would be regimental flags, etc. This is fine, as long as it doesn't get turned into one of those idiotic "celebrate our southern heritage" things. Have some fried chicken and corn bread. Maybe a Mountain Dew and a Moon Pie. Blast some Lynard Skynard on the radio. Just don't wave that stupid flag all over the place.