TYLER (KYTX) - Supporters we spoke with at the rally say the Confederate Flag has nothing to do with racism. They say it's part of what made this Country what it is today, but the NAACP disagrees.
Many East Texans say the Confederate flag is a symbol of our Southern history. Spencer Williamson with East Texas Confederate Force says, "We were just hoping to spread the word that the confederate flag is not about hate. It's not about racism, it's about heritage and our history and just being very proud."
Williamson is one of dozens that took part in the rally. She and other are fighting to keep the flag flying high at Camp Ford.
"We are like a family and the flag is something that we're proud of and we're not afraid to show it and we just want everybody else to know it's just a part of who we are," says Williamson.
Tonight's rally all started from the flag's association with 21-year-old Dylan Roof. The white man accused of killing nine black people in a Charleston church. One woman says if Tyler does remove the Confederate flag from a city-owned cemetery, she'd be very upset. "If they did bring it down, I would be be disappointed. absolutely, I'm already disappointed with everything else that has been going on with it," Adaria Kumara says.
Branden Johnson who is the Longview NAACP Union President believes the flag stands for hate and racial oppression. "When my ancestors since they bring up heritage were the ones that were on the short of end of the stick with soldiers, army, police wearing this flag on their helmets and uniforms as they main and tortured my people. I don't think that brings back a happy memory for me," explains Johnson.
Tyler City Council is debating whether to keep or remove the flag. We checked with Carolyn Sanchez with the City of Tyler less than an hour ago, and she tells us no decision has been made yet.
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