Escambia County will no longer fly the Confederate battle flag or the Spanish, French or British flags at the Pensacola Bay Center. After an emotional discussion, the Board of County Commissioners voted 4-1 to remove the five-flag display from the county property and replace it with the U.S. flag. Pointing to the U.S. flag behind his seat in the commission chambers, Commissioner Doug Underhill said, “This is the flag that I wore on my uniform when I went into harm’s way. This is the flag that is draped over the coffins of our soldiers when they are returned home. This is flag that we all swear our oaths under. This is the flag of Escambia County.” Underhill’s statement came after dozens of statements from the audience both for and against keeping at least some form of the Confederacy flag at the Pensacola Bay Center, the only county property that flew all five flags. At the public forum before the regular meeting, all the comments were in opposition to the Confederate battle flag. Catrina Ramos presented the board 175 petitions to take down the Confederate flag. “The flag symbolizes hate, disenfranchisement and the great divide in our nation,” she said. “We hold our graduations at the civic center. When I walk out and see that flag, it tells me that I don’t matter, my accomplishments don’t matter.” Diane Krummel talked about the race riots in Escambia during the 1970s and how the Confederate flag was part of them when Escambia High changed its team name from “Rebels” to “Gators.” “It divides Escambia County,” she said. “The flag is another thorn in the side of Escambia County.” Rev. Julie Cain put an armband with a Nazi swastika on her arm and said that it, too, symbolizes hate. Though it’s part of German history, that flag is not flown in Germany today. “The Confederate flags has multiple meanings, but it is associated with a very racist regime,” said Cain. “It is a very inappropriate for a public building and encourages hatred and racist acts.” Retired Marine Col. Jim Smith said the first flag was the only Confederate flag that actually flew over the city of Pensacola during the 18 months before it surrendered to the Union. Larry William, a Navy veteran, said the he and Col. Smith both served their country. They are not asking the county to fly the Marine Corps or U.S. Navy flags to honor those who died while in those uniforms. After the citizens spoke, the commissioner weighed in. Grover Robinson, who was the commissioner who brought forth the discussion item, talked about his family’s history, which included ancestors that fought in the American Revolution and the Civil War. He also talked about his grandfather who fought for the rights of his African-American clients in the 1950s and who later became a judge. “I’ve seen both sides of this issue,” said Commissioner Robinson. “I don’t see how we can continue to fly the battle flag.” He made the motion to replace the battle flag with the first flag used by the Confederacy – “Stars & Bars.” “For the past 15 years, this is the flag used by the city of Pensacola, Fiesta of Five Flags, Five Flags Speedway, and (pointing to a member in the audience) our church,” said the commissioner. Before Robinson received a second to his motion, Commissioner Lumon May offered an substitute motion, asking the board to first agree to take down the battle flag before deciding what other flag to fly. His motion passed 5-0. Commissioner Robinson made a motion for the first flag, but didn’t receive a second. Commissioner Wilson Robertson said he preferred the third flag. In 2000, Commissioner Robertson made the motion to fly that battle flag at the civic center, and a few of the citizens questioned his decision. The commissioner responded to his critics. “I’m proud of my Southern heritage,” said Robertson. “I will not apologize for my vote (in 2000). “ Commissioner May seized the moment and made the motion to take down the remaining flags, except for the U.S. flag. “That is the flag that flies over every other county building,” said May. “It’s flag that our children pledge allegiance to in school.” When it was clear that May and Underhill had the support of the majority of the board, Commissioner Robinson asked that they simply rescind the previous action that took down only the Confederate battle flag and vote in one motion to take down at the Pensacola Bay Center all flags except that U.S. flag. The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Wilson Robertson voting against the motion. http://ricksblog.biz/pensacola-bay-center-no-longer-to-fly-confederate-flag/

• published: 12 Dec 2014
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