A Georgia city banned a group from carrying the Confederate battle flag at a Saturday veterans parade, an act some viewed as a violation of First Amendment rights.
Alpharetta prohibited the Sons of Confederate Veterans from flying the flag at the Old Soldiers Day Parade, classifying it as an emblem “that has divided individuals, populations and entire communities” in a letter to the group, reported WSB-TV.
The Sons of Confederate Veterans termed the city’s decision an instance of “political correctness and an attack on our heritage and First Amendment rights.”
Still, individuals — it’s unclear if they were members of any particular group — flew the flag at the parade, much to the displeasure of Alpharetta councilman Jason Binder.
“I am disappointed that the actions of a few took away from the event where families and children celebrate our veterans who fought for the liberty and freedom our nation enjoys today,” Binder tweeted.
Please see attached. This deserved more thought than the 280 characters allowed. – Jason pic.twitter.com/KTucGtAKSr
— Jason Binder (@jasonbinder) August 5, 2018
Alpharetta’s Old Soldiers Day Parade started as a Civil War veteran tribute, got abandoned, but then came back in 1952 as a dedication to all veterans, according to MjAJC.com.
The mayor of Austin, Texas, another former Confederate state, refused to march in a 2017 Veterans Day parade because “symbols of racism” should not be “cheered and applauded,” even after the parade committee prohibited attendees from bearing the flag. (RELATED: Mayor Won’t March In Veterans Day Parade Because Of Confederate Flag)
38 U.S. Code § 1501(3) designates both Union and Confederate soldiers as Civil War veterans.
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