EBENSBURG, Pa. (WJAC) — An online petition calling for the Confederate flag to be banned from Ebensburg Borough-sanctioned events is gaining traction.
The Change.org petition, started by Raquel Lemelle, has received 2,025 signatures as of Thursday afternoon.
The petition comes as names, symbols and monuments linked to the Confederacy are being removed across the country in response to racial injustice protests sparked by the death of George Floyd, an unarmed black man who died while being detained by police in Minneapolis.
This week NASCAR banned Confederate flags from its races and venues and the U.S. Navy announced plans in the works to ban the flag from all public spaces and work areas aboard U.S. Navy installations, ships, aircraft and submarines.
The flag’s detractors say it’s a symbol of slavery and racism, while supporters say the flag is a symbol of states' rights.
As for Ebensburg, Lemelle says those that fly the flag at town sanctioned events, detract from family activities that celebrate the veterans who fought for America’s freedom.
“The confederate flag was designed to represent a divided nation,” Lamelle wrote in the petition’s description. “Pennsylvania was never in the Confederacy and the veterans we honor from our community fought for the Union. The flag is a symbol embraced by hate groups and represents racism, slavery, rejection, and division.”
Lemelle wrote that she recognizes an individual’s right to wave the Confederate flag, but not during town events or in areas decorated by the municipality.
She writes that the community must show its belief in unity and inclusion.
“The Confederate Flag is today a symbol that is dividing individuals, populations, and now our community,” Lemelle wrote. “Help us take action today by asking our borough to ban the flag from Ebensburg events! Please share this petition with others, thank you.”
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfo7KivsuyZGujXai2qLqMqZytoaSevK9506hkm5meYrCwusWem56qkamybrLLmp5mnqKkum6xwZ6lrJqlp7Rurs6rpq6fmGLAorrCraCoppWZeqbCxKerrA%3D%3D