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Confederate Flag Removed From City And County Displays
June 25, 2015
Pensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward has ordered the removal of the Confederate flag from all city displays. Escambia County is also removing the flag from county properties.
In a released statement, Hayward said,
“Today, I directed City staff to remove the Confederate Flag from display at all City of Pensacola facilities and to fly in its place the flag of the State of Florida.
“While the Confederate Flag undeniably represents a part of Pensacola’s history, to many it is a painful symbol of racial hatred and intolerance. I proudly celebrate our great city’s rich history, but I do not believe that we are defined by our history alone. We will always be the City of Five Flags — but now is the time for us to turn our focus to our city’s bright future.”
Escambia County is also removing Confederate flags from displays, notably the Pensacola Bay Center. In March, the county approved an ordinance to “mirror” what the city does with flag displays.
Comments
76 Responses to “Confederate Flag Removed From City And County Displays”
The bumper sticker I’ve seen that had a rebel flag with an “X” over it, said: “You Lost, Get Over It”.
We are Americans, not Confederates, so I guess this was a good move, if it makes a few people happy. I’m guessing most could really care less. Also, I see 5 flags in the picture, so no worries with the City, or the Speedway.
I would like to applaud the Mayor for making a decision that should have been made decades ago. The problem is not actually the flag itself but the ignorant people who use the flag to try and hold on to a war that was primarily being fought because 7 southern states opposed the freedom of slaves. Most of the people claiming that it’s their heritage probably don’t even know what it truly represents Or….. they do know what it truly represented and want to somehow someway try and keep that kind of senseless thinking around in 2015. There’s no place for that kind of thinking anymore and hopefully more towns, cities, counties and states will follow our lead!
Thanks again Mayor for being a leader!
i will cast my 1 vote against everyone in office now from school board to cty comm to pres of coarse we cant do any worse
So I guess we are no longer going to be called the City of 5 flags? Which means no more 5 Flags festival , which means commerce will be hurt. Oh yeah whose going to pay 5 Flags speedway to change their name? Another knee jerk decision by those that are suppose to be serving all the residents not a small group of racial Hippocrates
Not one death can be contributed directly to any flag, It takes a human to cause the damage.
Start blaming the right thing, the person who did the killing, and the parents that were suppose to raise their kids with values to respect others. Stop letting society raise your kids.
How about making these killers parents and friends held accountable. These action don’t happen over night yet No one steps forward to report or get the individualizes help before hand. No they just let it happen, They are as much in fault as the killer.
But No it’s easier to ban a Historical flag or other materiel object.
WAKE UP AMERICA were are all becoming blind to what the real problems are.
@ Bob:
So I fly a University of Florida flag…am I supposed to be offended?
A St. Andrews cross flag flies that represented a part of our history. It offends some people who are reminded of their history. Yet they wear chains around their necks and put chains around their car tags to remind them of their history. Just an innocent observation.
Mr. Hayward…you have successfully angered your constituents. You and your kind have successfully divided this community even farther than we were. You sir, have stabbed Pensacolians deep in our backs.
why not just vote all of them out of office and start over, maybe the next group will pay more attention to the people.
I thought the Confederate Flag was between the north and the south.
What do you people not understand. It’s not about your ideas, it’s for all of us.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
So buy you a flag and a pole stand it up in your yard and be satisfied. I fly a U.S. Stars and Stripes and a FSU flag. I’m happy.
Just a shame seeing our elected officials bowing to the false god of political correctness. Sad days indeed.
I truly believe the sentiments of this community has been presented with all the honesty and candor available.
Just a footnote to all of this…let’s run up the Rainbow Flag on all the flagpoles and henceforth and forever more this area will be known as Emerald Coast, Home of Five Fags or how ever many you wish for at one time.
We, collectively should hang our heads in shame over what has been done by the City of PNS and Escambia County…the time honored flags representing history, heritage and where we live.
It wont change ANYTHING. Birds of a feather flock together. Think it’s just a saying ? As long as people remain different from each other, you’ll have strife. I learned that in school with the preps, jocks, potheads, etc. Which is why the constitution is no more. Why they’re doing what they’re doing. To make everyone the same (melting pot). The end of the age is near. Prepare yourselves. The kingdom of God is at hand, so it relieves me to know my evil government will lose in the end.
CW , all of them live in the United States.
So Pensacola isn’t the City of Five Flags anymore? This flag didn’t represent racism it represented transition and suffering of numerous races. It helped people remember the struggles of all involved. I agree with most of you and the Rainbow Flag needs to be banned but it will never happen in Pensacola. That flag will fly higher than all the others with Hayward in office. I’m so glad that I don’t live there anymore.
Pensacola isn’t a representation of the south. You might as well live in Boston if you reside in P’cola. Gay pride weekend. I find it sad that a historical flag offends people but a man made RAINBOW flag is ok. FYI…Racism isn’t just a BLACK issue. Remember, Ignorance knows no bounds.
I agree with the comment: Stupid, stupid, stupid. I would hope that none of these officials actually believe that racism is fueled by an outdated flag! Unless moral codes, work ethics, religion and a variety of other things are the same for every citizen nobody will be able to stamp out this “so called” racism”, .
Let’s see…we proudly fly the Spanish Flag, and yet, many more millions of people (Indians *pardon me* ‘native Americans’, Africans, Jews, Gypsies, etc) were slaughtered & enslaved by the Empire of Spain and their inquisition than were ever negatively impacted by the Confederacy. And yet there’s no outcry. This mayor is an embarrassment. This government is embarrassment. Only problem is, there’s no such thing as embarrassment now because there’s no such thing as honor anymore. There is no decency. Everyone is offended over nothing. We’re now a nation of children. I shudder what will happen when the adults (the Chinese, Russians, Iranians) get tired of our antics and decide to come after us. Lord have Mercy.
CONTEMPLATING:
“the first slaves were brought to America under the British and Spanish flags. The American flag allowed legal importation of slaves also. Under the hated Confederate flag, slaves were not imported. So if the Confederate flag goes then the American, British and Spanish flags should go also. ”
Remove ALL flags except the one in the back of my shirt!
(I need that to orientate my shirt.)
David for straight shirts
I do wonder how many of the commenters here in support of the Confederate flag actually live within Pensacola city limits? I’m guessing it’s very few.
Some black soldiers fought on both sides during the “civil” war. After that war, more black soldiers were recruited into the U.S. Army, and fought the only little war going at the time. Here, fighting native Americans under the U.S. flag, these troops were called “Buffalo Soldiers” which is considered a matter of pride….in some circles.
Good Job Mayor it’s a new day!!!!
What a crock of a Mayor! The PC police might not have even noticed that flag since it was not the Confederate Battle Flag (of the Army of Northern Virginia). The flag that was there, which went through a controversy a few years ago, was the Confederate National Flag and is not nearly as recognized as the Battle flag. Pensacola had already replaced the Battle flag with the National flag and now this! How did the tragic murder of 9 people in a church morph into a politically correct assault on a part of American history. Mr. Mayor, I’m glad I don’t live in the city limits anymore.
I want the “gay pride” and rainbow flags banned from the beach…they offend me as a Christian.See to it mayor huh…oh,then there’s the 11 mil you spent on your wonder wheel thing,worked out great!
What’s next book burning?
I’m so glad the flag is down . . . now everyone can finally forget that slavery ever happened!
So our mayor is a PC idiot, too?
So, the South’s only heritage is war against itself? That makes a lot of sense. That flag is the call to war against America, it represents a war torn nation fighting against itself. Not everything is republican v democrats. That flag is a call to keep a way of life that is hurtful to many people. How anyone can support that is well beyond common sense. If it hurts black folks it should be torn to shreds and demolished, we all one people under GOD!! How you can want part of your population hurt and frightened of stupid is a shame.
People says the flag is a symbols of racism because what happen 150 years ago. But the Democrats were the ones that supported slavery. Abe Lincoln was a Republican. regarding the 1964 Civil Rights bill . Goldwater was one of just six Senate Republicans to vote against the bill in 1964, while 21 Senate Democrats opposed it. It passed by an overall vote of 73-27. In the House, 96 Democrats and 34 Republicans voted against the Civil Rights Act, passing with an overall 290-130 vote. Lets get rids to the racist Democrat party
I had never owned a Confederate flag until yesterday. I bought five, one that now flies from my flag pole. It will be protected, by me, and the mayor or any other politician (idiot) can keep their self serving hands off it.
and now we relive rome.
When will the American people stand up together and stop letting government officials have their say?? The majority of us want the confederate flag to fly. It’s not only our history but our heritage. What if Martin Luther King Day made the white folk feel bad for the past? Putting presser on the Calcasians for their ancestors? Black history month makes me feel like a races for being white! Let’s stop complaining and take a stand! We, WE PAY THEM (the government) to do a job. They are not in line with us, therefore we the people must make a change. Set a time and date and let our voices be heard!!! We can make a difference!!!! Don’t allow this to settle. NOW is the time to make a stand!! The Government works for us… We pay the government!!! Wake up Americans and lets make a difference.!!! GOD bless the USA!!!!
Stupid ,
Kneejerk reaction
Take them all down
Let’s get rid of that FT Pickens area too
You are denying a people their heritage and history–be it good or bad. We have a right to this history. Every year we must experience a whole month of one people’s history, but I’m being denied mine. We are the City of Five Flags, What right does anyone have to change history? That’s what you are doing. I am an American and I don’t hate anyone. I believe EVERYONE has a RIGHT to their history and it’s place in this country. While you’re at it why not eliminate the Mexican history because they once wiped out our patriots at the Alamo, or the German history because they came from a country that produced Hitler, or Irish and Italian history because most of those folks were poor when they came to this country? History, good or bad, is history–we must just deal with it and move on. IT’S PART OF US! That’s my opinion–another of my rights, or is this one going to be taken away too?
David, I was trying to draw attention to several years ago the City removed the Rebel flag, exchanged it with what they called correct Confederate flag (The Rebel Used to fly).
In my personal opinion, political correctness has destroyed the good old USA as we knew it from the 1940s.
It will also be the death of many Americans, including many of the spineless politicians.
The way to stop a snake from biting you is, cut his head off first!
Now that the flag display is historically wrong, all five of the flags should be taken down. If we can’t display history honestly, then we shouldn’t be displaying it at all.
The domino effect-one compromiser after another has fallen.
1) I would personally like to know when the rest of the flags will be taken down, including the American flag. I personally don’t have any issue with any of them; they are all important artifacts of history. However, if officials are going to be removing icons that SOME FEEL are symbols of “racial hatred and intolerance” than every flag currently displayed can be considered a painful reminder of the historical enslavement and maltreatment of the Irish and American Indian (my personal heritage). Despite popular opinion, those with more heavily pigmented skin do not corner the historical slavery and mistreatment market. Not. Even. Close.
2) I am sure that as of this evening both Hayward and May have scoured their homes and offices to remove all of the following brands: Apple, Samsung, Nike, H&M, Gap, American Apparel, Abercrombie & Fitch, Burberry, Ikea, Kohl’s, Kraft, Nestle, Hersey, MONSANTO, Dole, Victoria’s Secret, J. Crew, and you better not be driving a Toyota to grab your STARBUCK’s either. Also, the public better not catch you or your wives going into Wal-Mart… they are one of the biggest and most egregious offenders of human rights! All of the a aforementioned companies employ racist tendencies as well as slave labor, child labor, and sweat shop conditions that are far more temporally significant than events that surround the confederate flag. Can I assume the next time I run into you guys that you won’t be wearing any of this apparel, you won’t have eaten any food from offensive brands, or be talking on cellphones that large groups of people would find offensive. Oh, I would also like for every government entity to remove any and all of their Microsoft products… again one of the largest modern benefiters of slave labor.
3) Lastly, as a community we don’t get to vote on this issue? There is no majority rule involved in this? If that is the case, does this mean that I can show up tomorrow downtown and pull down the Spanish flag and deface it, stomp on it, and maybe even burn it for extra emphasis because I find it personally offensive… is that going to be ok with you guys?
4) 4) Lastly, those of you who have been fooled into concentrating on the meaningless flag debate should be paying more attention to the CURRENT erosion of our national rights based on the blindly pushed through “trade” agreements and our 2nd amendment rights and a little less on some meaningless and HISTORICAL artifacts…
Do any of you really think this is about the flag?
The Church in Charleston overcame the divide and turned a massacre into a Unity Event where 15,000 or more marched hand in hand across a bridge.
It seems to me as though the groups that wanted to take advantage of the massacre to divide the races didn’t expect the Church’s response, and rather than let the church control the narrative and response to the tragedy instead sent one of their lackeys to Columbia to demand removal of the flag.
After all, if you can’t divide the church, you divide the society that produced the church. And that’s why they attacked the flag.
The church is a quintessential southern church… even has its roots in the slavery days of the 1820’s. So it’s a straight line from there to the Confederate flag, because hey, everybody hates that thing, right?
So no, this isn’t about the flag, it’s about finding something to keep you angry and divided, so you do not notice a church that overcame division and displayed grace.
Because if grace were to get free that’d bring the hope we’ve been promised and denied, and no one in government would be able to take credit for it.
bbbbaaaahhhhhh!!! Mayor! Thanks for being a sheep..
It’s just the normal business as usual to have a knee jerk reaction when something like this comes up. Remember there were five flags of the Confederacy and the city has been using the “First National Flag” on many of it’s signs. Due to it looking very much like the northern flag it was dropped and another flag that was white with a small “battle cross” on it was used. Due to it looking like a flag of surrender it was replaced by another “national flag” that was white with a red bar on the end of the flag but still had the “battle cross”. The flag of choose due to much confusion in the heat of battle was the “Battle Flag”. Then you also had the “Bonnie Blue Flag” that was blue with a white star in the middle of it. It should be remembered that many brave men follow the flags of both side and died for them. The civil war was not just about slavery but also “states rights” There were many in the north who were against the war and wanted Lincoln to end the war. There are many more important things we need to spend of time and money on.
Like it or not……..I had relatives die defending that flag. You wonder what’s wrong with people these days, your driving them nuts. LEAVE IT ALONE.
I don’t under stand what the problem with the flag is there’s nobody alive that was there when this took place get over it.Leave the flag flying.
So, what will be the next thing that “Offends” folks?
Waiting to find out…….gonna be something for sure.
So, Mayor…
Pork and bacon offends certain groups… when will you demand that be removed from restaurants and grocery stores? Know what, Mayor… you’re a spineless, go along, get along, finger-to-the-wind moron politico… we see how you roll. You’d rather cow-tow to perceived low information/education crowds than land on the proper side of history. This flag was never meant to hurt anyone. It’s the most maligned piece of history ever. Rednecks took over the image and you bought their takeover. Rube.
The flag he removed wasn’t even the one the “racist” fly.. I do agree that all of them should come down if any..
Take down the state flag it has saint andrfews cross on it too.whaft about the American.
Flag do we remember the native americans?what about wounded knee;sand creek massacre the trail of tears.forced from there land to live on reservations. Is that npt racism and hate?learn the history.the civil war was not about slavery.it was about state rights.the slaves were freed in the south before they were freed in the north.a
Just proves he in line with a long line of very special stupid politicians.
Frank, the flag that you are calling the Rebel flag is the Confederate Battle Flag. If it is a rebel flag then so is the States and Stripes because it was part of the rebellion from Great Britain.
Hmmm, seems like the first slaves were brought to America under the British and Spanish flags. The American flag allowed legal importation of slaves also. Under the hated Confederate flag, slaves were not imported. So if the Confederate flag goes then the American, British and Spanish flags should go also. Politicians are not concerned with history but with the media and votes. All the politicians should grow a backbone starting with the South Carolina governor and ending with city mayors.
Good idea Mr. Mayor, let’s put up the Florida State Flag. UHMMM, what about the red X on that flag? Do you happen to know what some say that represents? But that one is okay for now I guess, until some group determines it to be offensive. Does anyone know which flag is the next one to go (hint: it flies in every state)? Just asking. Why don’t we just put one up with a cave on it, seems to me that this is what this country is becoming with all of our politicians caving to one group or another.
Concerned Citizen
I thought they Had removed the REBEL flag years ago and replaced it with the Confederate nation flag because of the Historical significance of it?
It is the Rebel flag that has been the controversy???
These decisions were made by cowards, one and all. I guess now it’s the City of 4 Flags, unless they want to put the rainbow flag up, that seems to be perfectly acceptable to them. Eventually it;s going to get really, really ugly.
Monkey See, Monkey Do! SPINELESS POLITICIANS letting the media dictate what they should instead of standing up for our southern heritage.
So your the mayor and you get to decide whats offensive and whats not doesn’t sound like the America I know whats next book burnings.The ones preaching about tolerance are the most intolerant . Just so you know mayor slavery was allowed under old glory for alot longer than the confederate battle flag shouldnt we removed old glory also.
I supposed all the atrocities committed under those other flags are not fresh enough in our memories to ban them?
If you must ban something you could start with television. Oh wait. Nobody reads anymore. How will we know when to sleep, eat, bath, etc…?
i have relatives that fought for that flag. old glory is on my house and no one better touch it. the flag of the confederacy is not racist and is a part of me and my heritage. i am really, guess i better print upset. i won’t forget at election time.
They show more respect for ISIS and the Mullahs in Iran than they do Southerners and what’s important to us. Remember these spineless politicians when elections roll around.
I have no use for politicians….they are all crooks.
Does this mean that Pensacola is now
the city of “Four” flags ????????
JLSeale
Thank you Mr. Mayor.
Good
If you look at the kids face book you will see him burning the American flag I was told. Are they going to ban the American flag also? The kid is bad not the flag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT IGNORANCE ABOUNDS!!! It is NOT a symbol of racial hatred and intolerance. Don’t our leaders read/study history?! The amount of ignorance in present day leadership AND in the general populace is pathetic. Quit letting the strife mongers brainwash and control you…………PC people!!! Are there any individuals anymore?
I hope removing the confederate flag helps to let us all get over all of it. Drop the racial issues and tensions. No one alive has anything to do with slavery. It is over we all have the same opportunities and freedoms. I prefer to fly the American flag period. Stop calling blacks afro american. We are all American period. Move out of the past. Blame the sick evil young man, not any group! Not me. It is over recognize it. They were victims and I feel for them but do not let the boy cause any more problems. Move on. The rebel flag, to me at this time has no real meaning and actually does seem racist and ignorant and stuck in the past. Let it go. Life in peace but on the same token,, stop marching and rioting. Act right. Grow up.
Ok, the other four flags need to come down and never use the term City of Five Flags again.
Remove all history.
Hayward is an opportunist politician, what else could he do.
One of the few places where it actually belonged.
Perhaps it could be replaced with the Romulan flag for Pensacola Intergalactic Starport?
YAY RACISM IS OVER
To answer E’s question…. He will replace the Florida flag with the rainbow flag when it suits him politically.
Today’s politicians are very similar to the flags the propose to ban… They change direction with each wisp of wind…
There was slavery under all those flags. At one time or another, all went to war to hold on to this area that had slavery.
“Today, I directed City staff to remove the Confederate Flag from display at all City of Pensacola facilities and to fly in its place the flag of the State of Florida.
And when will you “direct” city staff to replace the flag of the State of Florida with the rainbow flag?
This flag is just as important to us as far as our history or heritage as it ever was.
It doesn’t just represent hatred and racial intolerance.
what if this crazy kid would have had an American flag flying in his video
what’s next ? and if amazon and eBay are so worried about symbols that represent hatred ant racial intolerance why can you still buy ISOS flags and swastika’s
Time to start banning everything that offends anyone. It’s not about the flag, it’s about freedom of speach. If you say something that offends me, you should be banned!
Grow up people
Amazing. Hopefully, everyone will remember these names of Elected officials, that are re-writing history for their own agenda, when election time rolls around again, and they will get their walking papers handed to them. The Flag is not a representation of slavery, but of Southern Heritage, and this is only one of many instances that government is chipping away at our voice in the political arena. Wake up folks, let your voices be heard as well..
if I remember my history the English were the ones who brought slaves to America so if we are going to remove one flag because of painful memories why not all . remember the Spanish American war where the Spanish killed Americans.
Stupid stupid stupid