Removes flags
Walmart removes any and all items made from or containing depictions of the Confederate flag. They apologise for the inclusion of such products in their range.
We never want to offend anyone with the products that we offer. We have taken steps to remove all items promoting the confederate flag from our assortment, whether in our stores or on our website
Defends flag
Jones defends the Confederate flag in an all caps posting on Facebook:
I THINK ALL OF HAZZARD NATION UNDERSTANDS THAT THE CONFEDERATE BATTLE FLAG IS THE SYMBOL THAT REPRESENTS THE INDOMITABLE SPIRIT OF INDEPENDENCE WHICH KEEPS US “MAKIN’ OUR WAY THE ONLY WAY WE KNOW HOW. THAT FLAG ON TOP OF THE GENERAL LEE MADE A STATEMENT THAT THE VALUES OF THE RURAL SOUTH WERE THE VALUES OF COURAGE AND FAMILY AND GOOD TIMES.
OUR BELOVED SYMBOL IS NOW BEING ATTACKED IN A WAVE OF POLITICAL CORRECTNESS THAT IS UNPRECEDENTED IN OUR NATION OF FREE SPEECH AND FREE EXPRESSION. ACTIVISTS AND POLITICIANS ARE VILLIFYING SOUTHERN CULTURE AND OUR HERITAGE AS BEING BIGOTED AND RACIST. WE KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT THE CASE. AND WE KNOW THAT IN HAZZARD COUNTY THERE WAS NEVER ANY RACISM.
WE ARE NOT RACISTS. WE DESPISE RACISM AND BIGOTRY. AND WE THINK THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CREATING THIS “CULTURAL CLEANSING” ARE THE REAL BIGOTS IN THIS STORY…WHEN WE SAY OUR FLAG STANDS FOR “HERITAGE, NOT HATE” AND “PRIDE, NOT PREJUDICE”, WE MEAN IT. AND WE BELIEVE THAT OLD SAYING, “YOU CAN’T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE GOING IF YOU FORGET WHERE YOU CAME FROM.”
COOTER’S IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO SELL OUR SOUTHERN SYMBOLS AS LONG AS THERE IS A COOTER’S. I WILL FIGHT THESE PEOPLE UNTIL HELL FREEZES OVER, AND THEN I WILL FIGHT THEM ON THE ICE.
Wants to reduce flag flown by fans
France reiterates the sport’s policy preventing the use of the flag in any official capacity:
In all areas that NASCAR controls on a given race weekend, the flag has no presence,” France said. “We have been clear in support of this position throughout our industry and to those across the country who have called for the eradication of the Confederate Flag.
He also says the sport is looking into how it can reduce the flag’s presence among fans who might fly it in the infield.
We will be as aggressive as possible to disassociate NASCAR events from an offensive and divisive symbol. We are working with the industry right now to achieve that goal.
Offers legal fees to Confederate flag remover
Moore uses his Twitter account to offer to pay Newsome’s bail money and legal fees.
Friends of @BreeNewsome – I will pay her bail money or any legal fees she has. Please let her know this. #Charleston #TakeDownTheFlag
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) June 27, 2015
After the flag, calls for more changes
Jackson applauds efforts to remove the Confederate battle flag from South Carolina Statehouse grounds, but says healthcare, education, voting laws and the prison system are areas that should be reviewed.
There is a mood shift in the country, and we must seize upon the positiveness of that mood shift. I think some people who had one position two weeks ago have seen a great light. Let’s seize that great light.
Daytona race flag exchange
NASCAR is exchanging fan’s Confederate flags with American flags at the Daytona race this weekend. Daytona President Chitwood announces the race will not ban Confederate flags since fans had already purchased tickets for races, but anyone wishing to part ways with their Confederate flag will be offered an American replacement.
For us, we’re celebrating the American flag this weekend. It’s our nation’s birthday. So, fans who would like to fly the American flag, we’ll trade with you on whatever flag you have. We want you to celebrate that flag this weekend.
Confederate flag cemetery ban proposed
A proposal by Rep. Huffman to add language to block the Park Service, which maintains 14 national cemeteries, most of which contain graves of Civil War soldiers, from allowing private groups to decorate the graves of Southern soldiers with Confederate flags in states that commemorate Confederate Memorial Day, is passed by voice vote. The Andersonville and Vicksburg cemeteries in Georgia and Mississippi are affected. Huffman:
The American Civil War was fought, in Abraham Lincoln’s words, to ‘save the last best hope of Earth. We can honor that history without celebrating the Confederate flag and all of the dreadful things that it symbolizes.
Rep. Palazzo protests the move:
I strongly oppose the inclusion of this amendment, which was slipped into the bill in the dead of night with no debate. Congress cannot simply rewrite history and strip the Confederate flag from existence. Members of Congress from New York and California cannot wipe away 150 years of Southern history with sleight-of-hand tactics.
The Park Service funding bill is scheduled for a vote July 9.
Tells flag protestors ‘Kiss my ass’
In response to protesters who have ask him to stop flying the Confederate flag during his shows, Kid Rock asks Kelly to read a statement on her show:
This is a quote. He said, ‘Please tell the people who are protesting to, quote, ‘kiss my’…ask me some questions—I modified that for cable TV.
Flag removed from Capitol
South Carolina removes the Confederate flag from the state Capitol grounds in Columbia. A crowd shouts “U.S.A.” as the color guard removes the flag and folds it, and hands it to the curator of the Confederate Relic Room and Military Museum, where it will be stored. Some of the few thousand attendees are dressed in Confederate uniforms and carry Confederate flags to show their support for the flag.
South Carolina taking down the confederate flag – a signal of good will and healing, and a meaningful step towards a better future.
— President Obama (@POTUS44) July 10, 2015
Helps white supremacist
Black police officer Smith is photographed helping a white supremacist at Ku Klux Klan rally held at the South Carolina Statehouse. The image goes viral.
https://twitter.com/RobGodfrey/status/622494558249684992/photo/1
Seven injured at SC rally
Supporters of the Ku Klux Klan and Black Panther parties rally together outside of the South Carolina Capitol in Columbia. As the day goes on, rallies quickly turn aggressive despite police presence. Seven people are taken to hospital, while five others were arrested. Protestor:
The Confederate flag does not represent hate. A lot of Americans died for that flag