Confederate Flag Flag Contrevery Florida

From 3arf

Everyone is upset about the confederate flag, but no more so than here in Florida, my homestate. People are taking both sides, but what is happening is not representative of all Floridians. The real facts speak for themselves and here they are. You can judge for yourself, pro or con.

A small group of people dubbed, Jubal Early Camp 556 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans wanted to be recognized by the Hillsborough County Commisioners. They wanted a proclamation issued naming April 2007 Southern Heritage Month. The commission had granted the proclamation for years in the past.

But they had faced criticism after honoring General Robert Lee's Birthday anniversary on the same day as they recognized a noted black educator. So as they did in 2007, they refused to sign the proclamtion again this year.

Marion Lamberta member of the group, had hinted for months that something would happen if the commission did not sign the proclamation this year. He had made threats that he would take his cause to the public and he did make good on that threat. His idea to acknowledge his southern heritage was to unfurl a 30-by-50 foot Confederate battle flag at the junction of two major interstates that bisect Hillsborough County.

Tampa resident Marion Lambert paid $7,000 for the 0.19-acre site in January 2004. In February 2005, Lambert met with six planners from Hillsborough's Planning and Growth Management Department, who advised him how to prepare an application for a variance to build a monument. In April 2005, county records show, a land use hearing officer approved Lambert's request for a lighted park with monuments and a flagpole "to commemorate American veterans".

No one in the couty asked Mr Lambert which veterans or how he would be honoring them.

Lambert unfurled the flag for the day on Tuesday for the 200th birthday of Confederacy president Jefferson Davis. The most ironic part of the contrevery is that as drivers rounded a bend in the road and crested the I-4 overpass,they see the flag just as they came upon the exit sign that says "Martin Luther King Blvd. 1 mile."

It was flown for a day or so. However, the flag is planned to be flown permanently as part of a memorial to confederate soldiers. The attorney for Hillsborough County has stated that there is little that can be done, as Mr Lambert applied and recieved the correct permits.The county had exempted flags from the sign regulations in 2004.

Mr Lambert has stated that it will not matter is the county wants to speak with him,the flag will stay. Similar flags have gone up in the North Florida community of Havana, as well as White Springs in Suwannee County, said Lambert, who is co-chairman of the Sons of Confederate Veterans Flags Across Florida project. It is a response to what Lambert says are increasing slights to Confederate heritage.

I don't think that Mr Lambert's position represents the majority of the Floridians. But unfortuately, his actions have gotten the attention for his cause that he sought.

While there are many that applauded the county's stand in not issuing the proclamation, the resulting contraversy and backlash has not helped the image of Florida at all. Until it is challenged, like it or not, the rebel flag will still fly.

The basic question is does Mr Lambert and his group have the right to free speech as badly as its statement has offended so many ?

Related Articles

Retrieved from "https://3arf.org/en/index.php?title=Confederate_Flag_Flag_Contrevery_Florida&oldid=33934"