People literally on both sides of the fence gathered Tuesday to voice their opinions about the recent decision to remove the state flag from Magnolia City Hall.
Protest organizer Richie Fortenberry of McComb said Magnolia residents never got a say in the decision.
“The city council and the mayor took the flag down, and we’re here to protest because our state flag is still our state flag and it belongs here,” he said. “There’s no racial part to this flag, and I’m hoping we all come together. That’s my prayer.”
What started as a small group listening to “Dixie” on a cell phone while holding the Confederate flag, Mississippi state flag and an American flag at the Veterans Memorial in front of the courthouse, turned into a large crowd when the protest moved to city hall.
In front of the renovated train depot that now serves as city hall, pro-flag supporters gathered around some picnic tables under an oak tree, while on the other side of a wrought iron fence, residents stood in support of last week’s 3-0 vote by town aldermen to remove the state flag.
“The flag has stood for 184 years. It’s the heritage to a history people don’t want to hear about,” said flag supporter Lynn Gaskin. “They think it’s all about slavery but the Civil War was about states’ rights. They don’t teach that in high school.”
Rickey Lee showed to up voice his support for the state flag and his issue with those who removed it.
“Three people don’t have the right to speak for the city and the state,” he said.
Margie King said she doesn’t see the sense in removing the flag and fears this is only the beginning of rights being taken away.
“We’re in trouble, that’s all I know,” she said. “It’s going to be the American flag next.”
Flag supporter Kevin Bigner said his great-great-grandfather fought and died for the Confederacy in 1862. “This is my heritage,” he said. “This is my family.”
Jeff Canton blamed the small turnout at the courthouse on supporters who had to work.
“If we had EBT cards, we would all be here. Some people came out because they don’t have jobs. We’re here supporting those with jobs — we just happened to be off today,” he said.
When Pike County Board of Supervisors attorney Wayne Dowdy showed up to the courthouse on business, the crowd yelled at him to come talk to them. Dowdy walked around the building to avoid the crowd.
“I couldn’t understand what they were saying,” he said later. “I have business to attend to and I went around them because I had to see the judge.”
A supporter who asked not to be named said she joined the protest to help protect her children and their education.
“My 15- and 16-year-olds don’t know anything about the Civil War. They don’t know anything about history,” she said. “I’m afraid for their future. I want them to know where they come from so they won’t be controlled by our government.”
She said she is frightened to think that her children may not have the freedoms she has, and she’s frightened for individuals who don’t have an opinion on the flag issue.
“Those who don’t have an opinion, I’m afraid for them, too. This is only going to get bigger.”
A man who would only identify himself as part of “the silent majority” said the South Carolina church shooting that prompted the flag debate shouldn’t affect Mississippi.
“This flag didn’t kill anyone and the gun didn’t kill anyone. A lunatic did,” he said.
Alderman Mercedes Ricks, who voted for the flag’s removal, said those with negative comments could have attended the monthly city meeting.
“We didn’t discuss it behind closed doors. They elected us to make decisions and they were not there,” she said. “Shame on them if they’re Magnolia citizens. Maybe now they will be more interested in what’s going on in the city instead of coming out here raising hell.”
A flag opponent who asked not be named said he believes the Confederate battle flag represents slavery more than heritage.
“They had their chance and they lost,” he said. “I’m a registered voter and I voted for the elected officials. The town is 75 percent black and that’s against us anyway.”
Flag opponent Bonnie Cook said she was there on behalf of her children, who are veterans.
“Both of my children fought in Iraq and I don’t think they should live under a flag that holds them (in) bondage,” she said. “Everyone has the right to do what they want on their own property, but the state flag doesn’t represent the city.”
Sonora Morris stood by watching the rally, but said she didn’t have an opinion.
“I was raised with it flying and I’m not racist,” she said. “I don’t think taking the flag down will keep racism from happening.”
