Confederate flag debate a way of life in Rocky Mount neighborhood http://www.wral.com/confederate-flag-debate-a-way-of-life-in-rocky-mount-neighborhood/14736521/ States and retailers have taken steps to remove the Confederate battle flag from landmarks and stores, but one Rocky Mount man is standing his ground. Edward Lee West has had the flags surround his Arrington Avenue home for years, but after the killings of nine people during Bible study inside a historic black Charleston, S.C. church last week, neighbors said West added more flags. One flag, planted on top of his home, can be seen a block away, said neighbor Charles Little. He believes the flags emphasize a certain message. “It means I don’t like you people in my neighborhood,” said Little, who is black. “To me, those flags represent that I owned you people.” The Confederate battle flag was recently thrusted into national debate after the accused church shooter was seen in pictures embracing it. A friend of the suspect, Dylann Storm Roof, 21, said the accused killer wanted to start a race war. Officials in North Carolina, South Carolina and other southern states have distanced themselves from the historic symbol. Gov. Pat McCrory wants to stop new license plates bearing the flag. Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley used his executive power, the first southern governor to do so, to remove four flags with secessionist symbols from a large monument to rebel soldiers outside his state’s capitol, according to news reports. Walmart, Amazon, eBay and Sears are among a group of retailers that have announced plans to stop selling Confederate flag merchandise. Opponents say the flag is a symbol of racism used by the Confederacy, which supported slavery, and then by groups such as the Klu Klux Klan. Proponents say the flag is about heritage and pride. As for West, whose house sits in a mostly African-American neighborhood, neighbors believe the flags are not coming down anytime soon. The flags are protected speech on private property, which is surrounded by a fence, barbed wire and signs that read "No Trespassing" and "Keep Out." “I can respect (West’s right to free speech), but I do not respect the fact that he is flaunting it so much in our face,” Little said. West could not be reached for comment Wednesday evening.
Perfect example of people abusing their rights to be assholes. Not only is the jerk flaunting it, but he's making a public eyesore as well. There's simply no need to go overboard like this.
Our office building is less than a mile from where that flag used to be on 75. It's no longer up and hasn't been for a while now (well over a year).
I can hear your grandfather saying in 1934... "I invite all of the intelligent, educated immigrants in your country for a paid trip to Germany to speak before the Parliament and educate them what is needed to attract high potentials rather than inviting the Jews of the world (zero education, criminal records, relationships to drugs and gangs) who abuse the German welfare system. It would be awesome for someone from the outside to educate German politicians and bureaucrats."
Charleston racist shooter Roof wanted an AR-15; had magazines, accessory http://www.cnn.com/2015/06/26/us/charleston-church-shooting-main/index.html
Intolerant, out-of-his-mind, lives in a trailer, not liked by his neighbors, holds a menial trades job --- must be futurecurrents.
Yeah, I know you'd like to think that. But I think you'd be better off asking yourself who here is defending the flag? Why attack someone who actually agrees with you on this matter? Don't you feel silly? Sure you do.
Nobody in this forum has stepped up and defended this character in Rocky Mount. Attempting to claim this individual is an ET poster is inane