THOUSANDS OF CONFEDERATE FLAGS WAVED AT FLORIDA RALLY

An 8-mile long string of more than 1,500 motorcycles, pickup trucks and cars, all flying Confederate flags, paraded in support of the much maligned flag

A Florida Southern Pride Ride held Saturday in Ocala attracted around 4,500 supporters of the Confederate battle flag. The 17-mile long parade was made up of an 8-mile long string of more than 1,500 motorcycles, pickup trucks and cars, all flying Confederate flags.

The rally, at which thousands of the much maligned flags were waved, was held to protest the removal of the Confederate flag from government facilities in the South. People from as far away as California attended the rally. Many men, women and children in attendance wore Confederate flag t-shirts.

It’s a shame that the Confederate battle flag has been hijacked by the KKK and other white supremacy hate groups. Because of that, the flag has become a symbol of hate.

Personally, that flag has never symbolized hate to me, even though it has been prominently displayed at white supremacy rallies during which blacks and Jews have been condemned.

I see the Confederate battle flag as a historical reminder of the Civil War and, as such, a symbol of Southern heritage, not hate. Around 250,000 Confederate soldiers died under that flag and many more suffered amputations and other war wounds. For that reason, the Confederate battle flag deserves to be honored, not despised.

Oh by the way, in addition to the Confederate flag, the KKK and other white supremacy hate groups also prominently display the American flag at their public rallies.