On Saturday, April 22nd, a Confederate flag rally took place in front of the newly renovated York County Courthouse in York, South Carolina.
Sponsored by the Private Thomas E. Caldwell Camp #31 SC Division Sons of Confederate Veterans and approved during the previous month's reunion of the SCSCV in Rock Hill, SC, approximately 172 Confederate descendants with various Confederate battle flags (modern and historical) and CSA national colors attended the 90 minute rally to protest the illegal removal of a Confederate 2nd National banner and two paintings of Generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson from the courtroom where they were displayed since the early 1940s.
The York County clerk of court, Mr. David Hamilton, refused to return the flag and portraits to the courtroom, despite promises to do so. This rally was in defense of South Carolina's Heritage Act of 2000 which prohibits the removal, relocation, or destruction of Confederate symbols. It was also in protest of the wrong-thinking regressive view that labels the Dixie Cross banner wrongly as a symbol of "hatred and racism".
Despite a contingent of police nearby, the rally was held peacefully and the speakers all well received by those in attendance.
The following are photos this blogger took from the event.
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| My compatriot and friend Miss Jenna Stoney from Florida in the foreground waving. This would be the third Confederate flag event in the last three months I attended locally with her and her loyal service dog, Confederate Shorty. |
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| Confederate Shorty after a long car drive. Also Jenna's car looks about like mine does after a long trip, LOL! |
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| Mr. Kirk Michael Carter, Commander of the Pvt. Thomas E. Caldwell Camp #31 and 3rd Brigade Commander SC Division SCV. |
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| "Today was a day to let the Clerk of Court, David Hamilton, know that for the removal of these historical items -- the confederate flag, the portraits of our great General Robert E. Lee, General Thomas Jackson is breaking the law according the Heritage Act of 2000. "We will not give up. We will see that the law is abided by." ~ Kirk Carter. |
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| At Saturday's protest, 5th Congressional
District Republican candidate Sheri Few called the flag supporters honorable for holding the rally. |
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| Reverend Creighton Lovelace, a Baptist preacher in Forest City, N.C. and NC Division SCV member spoke eloquently about our Southern-Confederate heritage and what connects it to us as part of a living heritage. |
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| Mr. Thomas Webberburger with a powerful message against the removal of Southern-Confederate symbols and cultural genocide. |
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| Polk's Battle Flag (CSA Army of Tennessee) and General Lee's HQ Flag (CSA Army of Northern Virginia) represented at the rally. |
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| Confederate Shorty enjoying the shade and the grass. |
I would be less than honest if I said that everyone who attended the event was there to honor our shared Southern-Confederate historical heritage.
Also attending were at least three individuals: two anti-Confederate heritage regressive and one white supremacist throwback, who attempted to pass along their own "messages" despite being vastly outnumbered by the nearly 200 Confederate heritage defenders -- men, women and children of diverse backgrounds, religious faiths and ethnic origins (and in at least one case, a non-Southern Union descendant!) -- who stood fast against the removal and false labeling of the Dixie Cross banner and two portraits of Christian Southern heroes.
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| A Leftist anti-Confederate heritage reactionary stands with a sign supporting the pro-white supremacist stance concerning the flag -- ironically only ten feet from an African-American supporter of the South's living memorial to the Confederate dead and historical heritage. |
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| This individual with the neo-Nazi tattoos displaying the cheap novelty banner along with another flag above it* tried to send his own message. Instead I am proud to say that he was avoided and ignored by all in attendance. I am please to report he left just as the service started to end sour-faced and without finding any love for the "values" he was attempting to signal with his co-opted (novelty) Southern banner. |
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| A second virtue-signaling Leftist regressive holding up a reality-defying message while protesting an ethnically diverse group of Southerners all of whom were gathered as brothers and sisters under a shared Confederate heritage. Nothing but Southern kindness was shown toward this pitiable individual. |
The beautiful spring weather with the strong breeze that kept the banners flying proudly in the spirit of common unity among those of us who dare to defend our ancestor's good name, and the banners they fought under from those who seek to divide us for their own political, or personal gain.
Our presence and our determination, even in the face of opposition, showed that hatred and virtue-signaling disguised as "tolerance" could not win on that day. Nor will it win in the long run so long as there are those of us willing to face it down.
This particular fight is far from over in York, South Carolina, and this blogger promises to update y'all on whatever happens in regard to the issue of the flag and portraits being returned or relocated at the York County Courthouse.
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| My friend Miss Jenna took the final photo while I posed with the group beside Confederate Shorty. |
Till next time, y'all have a wonderful Dixie Day!
UPDATE 05-04-2016
*The "Raven flag" displayed by the intruder with the neo-Nazi tattoos apparently has a positive historical origin. The information can be found HERE. I should also add that the misuse of that flag (a Viking symbol) by this person to advance the odious cause of racial supremacy is no more legitimate than the attempt by any other white supremacist to co-opt the Dixie cross banner for the same purpose.
(sighs) Well, I suppose that I must also thank Mr. Corey Meyer for finding that particular information and providing it to this blogger.
UPDATE 05-04-2016
*The "Raven flag" displayed by the intruder with the neo-Nazi tattoos apparently has a positive historical origin. The information can be found HERE. I should also add that the misuse of that flag (a Viking symbol) by this person to advance the odious cause of racial supremacy is no more legitimate than the attempt by any other white supremacist to co-opt the Dixie cross banner for the same purpose.
(sighs) Well, I suppose that I must also thank Mr. Corey Meyer for finding that particular information and providing it to this blogger.
