Community Corner

Confederate Flag Debate Drives Into Fredericksburg

Large flag flying over Interstate 95 in nearby Stafford County.

A new reminder of the Confederate South appeared along Interstate 95 last weekend. The Virginia Flaggers raised a large Confederate battle flag on private land in Stafford County near Fredericksburg.

Flaggers spokesman Barry Isenhour told ABC8 that, "Virginia has forgotten the Confederate soldier."

The flag is supposed to be in honor of Confederate soldiers who fought in battles in the Fredericksburg area.

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Jennifer McClellan, co-chair of the state’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission, told Reuters the group has the right to fly the Confederate flag, but it has been used as an oppressive symbol against African-Americans.

The Virginia Flaggers told CBS6 that they have offers from across the state to fly similar Confederate flags.

Find out what's happening in Fredericksburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

It's not the only Confederate Flag controversy this week. Military college The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., risks losing nearly $1 million in local funding if it does not remove a Confederate flag hanging in the school's chapel.


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