Wednesday, June 4, 2008 at 11:16 p.m. TAMPA -It appears more and more likely that Hillsborough County soon will be known as home to one of the nations largest Confederate battle flags. Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans raised the flag Tuesday at the junction of Interstate 75 and U.S. 92, setting off a fiery debate over Southern heritage, racism and private property rights. On Wednesday, it became apparent that the only way 200,000 motorists a day will not drive by the 30-by-50 foot flag on its 139-foot pole is if the group changes its mind. Plans call for the flag to be part of a Confederate memorial to be dedicated on April 26, Confederate Memorial Day. After discovering that they have no legal means to prohibit the gigantic flag, county commissioners pleaded with the group to voluntarily remove it and avoid fracturing the community along racial lines. That does not appear likely. I think were pretty firm in our resolve, said Phil Walters, a spokesman for the group. Some black county residents for whom the flag represents slavery and racism vowed that it would come down. They threatened an economic boycott and protests that could sully the countys image as the nation focuses on Tampa in January as the site of the Super Bowl. You have a passive black community in Hillsborough County, said Eddie Adams, a black candidate for Congress in the 11th District. This is going to awake a sleeping giant. heraldtribune/article/20080604/NEWS/806040925
Posted on: Sun, 30 Nov 2014 08:52:30 +0000
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