Studer Community Institute

Four flags get the boot at Pensacola Bay Center

December 11, 2014
/ Mollye Barrows
/ government

Old Glory will now be the last flag standing at the Pensacola Bay Center. What started as a discussion to remove the Confederate battle flag from the five flags display ended with the rest being removed. Escambia County Commissioners voted 4-1 to remove the other four flags, leaving only the American flag to fly on the publicly owned property. Commissioner Grover Robinson made the original motion to remove the “rebel flag,” which has become a symbol of racial oppression to many, and replace it with the “Stars and Bars.” That was the first flag of the Confederacy and it’s the one the City of Pensacola flies in it’s five flag displays. The vote followed a steady stream of citizens who spoke to the board about the flag Thursday night, first at the public forum and then again during the regular meeting. Men and women of all races and ages spoke for and against removing the Confederate battle flag. Most wanted to remove it, like county resident and U.S. Navy veteran Chris Hendrix. “It has always been a symbol of hate as far as I have seen. My mother is one of the first students of the integration of Pensacola High School and I’ve had horror stories told to me time and time again because of people who stood behind that flag.” Diane Krumel echoed his sentiments. She remembered Pensacola race riots in the 1970’s, when she was in high school. “I lived through the race riots of the 70’s and I can’t even believe we’re talking about this,” Krumel said. “It is a symbol of hate and racism. There’s no place for the Confederate flag here in Pensacola.” Others, like local members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, spoke in favor of keeping the Confederate battle flag or a version that still maintained that image, as a way to honor Southern history and the veterans who died fighting for what they thought was right. Escambia resident Richard Mills spoke to defend the Confederate battle flag, or “soldier’s flag,” as some called it. “I’m defending the battle flag as a means of honoring our heritage and the memory of those who fought and died defending the cause of constitutional freedom,” Mills said. “I think it’s shameful on the part of some to sacrifice heritage on the altar of political correctness.” Another resident, Pam Smith, was also concerned about political correctness playing too much of a role in government. “What you’re being asked to do is take away history and that is just wrong,” Smith said to commissioners. “We need to allow our Confederate veterans to be honored. Stop and think about where does it end? What will be next?” Some pushed for a different version of the Confederate flag to be flown, while others demanded it be taken down altogether. During the discussion, the board voted unanimously to remove the battle flag version, but they did not agree on what, if anything, should replace it. In the end, Commissioners Lumon May and Doug Underhill suggested keeping only the American flag as part the five flag display. Robinson conceded, agreeing that it was consistent with what is flying at other county buildings. Wilson Robertson voted against removing the other four flags, reminding commissioners that they started out discussing simply replacing the flag with the same one the city flies. “This was never even talked about, elimination of all the flags, because we are the City of Five Flags,” said Robertson. Robertson was a member of the board when they voted to keep the battle flag at what was then the Pensacola Civic Center in 2000. Several people who spoke reminded him of that and Robertson defended his decision. “I won’t apologize for my vote fifteen years ago,” said Robertson. “It was the best we could at the time for those who died in the Civil War fighting for what they thought was a good cause.” But for other longtime residents, who say the Confederate battle flag is a reminder of division, are pleased with the board’s decision. “We need to be in a place of reconciliation,” said Hendrix. “We don’t want to hold on to the past.”

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Four flags get the boot at Pensacola Bay Center

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