BRANDON, Fla. (AP) — A huge Confederate battle flag has been lowered from its towering pole near Interstates 4 and 75 outside Tampa after threats appeared on social media to set it on fire during protests of the killings of black people by white authorities, the Tampa Bay Times reports.
David R. McCallister leads the local chapter of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He wants people to know that removing the 30-foot by 60-foot battle flag wasn’t a decision made in fear, adding that they don’t want the flag to be an “excuse for anyone to do illegal acts.”
LATEST STORIES:
- ‘Bloom Health Club’ Podcast Preview: Performance & Mindset Coach Debbie Lundberg talks ‘Active Love’ in wake of hurricanes
- It was a question of which of the two she preferred. On the one hand, the choice seemed simple. The more expensive one with a brand name would be the choice of most. It was the easy choice. The safe choice. But she wasn’t sure she actually preferred it.
- Heartfelt Brushstrokes: Pink Dragon Ladies dedicate memorial wall to fallen members
- WFLA DAY: News Channel 8 to broadcast live from the Florida Strawberry Festival
- GUIDE: Everything to know before the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Pete
