Walton County Votes to Replace Confederate Flag…With Different Confederate Flag
July 28th, 2015 by flanewsThe confederate flag was still flying over a panhandle county’s courthouse Tuesday morning. Matt Galka was at the county commission meeting where officials voted on whether or not to keep the divisive symbol up.
In Walton county located in Florida’s panhandle, it’s commonplace to see a truck decked out in Confederate flags. But the confederate flag has divided one of Florida’s oldest counties.
The Confederate Battle Flag has flown over the county courthouse grounds since 1964 when the Civil Rights Act was passed.
Dozens turned out for a commission meeting Tuesday debating whether or not it should come down.
“The confederate battle flag symbolizes the desire to keep my people in bondage,” said flag opponent Tyrone Broadus.
“We need to honor our ancestors. Can’t nobody say it’s race,” said Casey Nelson, who wants to keep the flag up.
Ultimately the county commission decided the Confederate Battle Flag should come down, but another confederate symbol will go up.
Commissioner Sara Comander offered up replacing the flag with the original “stars and bars” as a compromise.
“I have to try to come to a decision that will benefit everybody,” she said.
The motion passed 4-0.
A proposal to remove the flag completely got little support from the commission.
Walton County officials say they ordered the new Confederate Flag today (Tuesday) and could be replacing the old one as early as Wednesday.
Posted in State News | 
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