Flag Controversy Cancels Homestead Veterans Parade
Officials cancel Veterans Day parade over flag controversy
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This is the racist flag everyone's talking about today.
A fight between the NAACP and locals over Confederate flags flying in the Homestead Veterans Day parade has ended in there being no parade at all, according to the South Florida Times.
The Military Affairs Committee of the Greater Homestead/Florida City Chamber of Commerce, which organized the parade, voted recently to cancel the Nov. 11 event, according to Florida City Mayor Otis Wallace, whose city is a member of the chamber.
“It’s regrettable they are doing this to the veterans,” said Pat Mellerson, who led the crusade against the city allowing the Confederate flag to fly during the parade.
There had always been rumblings that the growing fued between the NAACP and The Sons of Confederate Veterans would end in the parade's demise. The city took a stand and said they would not ban the flag.
The parade committe voted to ban the flag last month, but by then it was too late.
The event was canceled because several sponsors backed out over the controversy, which was getting national attention. The American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America and several local schools pulled out of the parade, which is held to celebrate the sacrifices of those who dedicated their lives to serving the country.
Instead, the parade became a struggle between local blacks, the NAACP and the group that marched with the colors of the Southern Confederacy.
"We’re really disappointed. That parade was for the veterans. I’m a Vietnam veteran and I remember when we came home, we were spit upon, and this is no different,” said Gregory Kalof, a member of the Confederate Veterans. "The NAACP is the cause of this, and I’m disappointed in them too.”
For more on this situation, read the South Florida Times in depth piece on the drama as it unfolded.
Posted Tuesday, Oct 6, 2009 - 2:25 PM EST
