Confederate flag Archives - Democratic Party of Georgia

Release: Thursday, July 9, 2015

DPG First Vice Chair Nikema Williams on Congressman Lynn Westmoreland’s Confederate Flag Remarks

Atlanta, GA – Democratic Party of Georgia First Vice Chair Nikema Williams issued the following statement regarding Congressman Lynn Westmoreland’s out of touch remarks during today’s U.S. House debate on the Confederate flag.

“Congressman Lynn Westmoreland’s comments are absolutely repellent. Sadly, Lynn has a track record of offensive behavior. During the 2008 presidential race, he hurled a derogatory term toward President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. Now, he’s defending the Confederacy and asks Congressman John Lewis—who shed his blood fighting for civil rights—to consider his ‘point of view’ on race relations.

“Lynn Westmoreland owes his constituents and the people of Georgia an apology. Today.”

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Background

AJC – Lynn Westmoreland on Confederate battle flag ‘I don’t think it’s a racist symbol’

Among Westmoreland’s thoughts:

“There’s a lot of Confederate flags. You talking about the battle flag? I think it was just — I don’t think it’s a racist symbol. I think people have misused it, but I’ve never really given it that much thought, because in the South you kind of grow up being around it, just seeing it in different venues or whatever. But I have never thought of it as a racist flag.”

Westmoreland was asked if he could see the point of Rep. John Lewis, D-Atlanta, when he talks about the flag’s racist history during the civil rights movement. Westmoreland replied: “Well, if I believe it comes from heritage, does he understand where I’m coming from?”

Jonathan Weisman, NYT

Rep. Lynn Westmoreland of Ga.: “majority of people that actually died in the Civil War on the confederate side did not own slaves.”

— Jonathan Weisman (@jonathanweisman) July 9, 2015

More Rep. Lynn Westmoreland of Ga.: These were people were fighting for their states. I don’t think they had even any thoughts about slavery

— Jonathan Weisman (@jonathanweisman) July 9, 2015

Asked if he could see John Lewis’s point on confed flag, Lynn Westmoreland said, “the question is does he understand where I’m coming from?”

— Jonathan Weisman (@jonathanweisman) July 9, 2015

Today, Nathan Deal flip-flopped within a matter of minutes on the issue of the Confederate flag displayed on Georgia specialty license plates.

First, Deal said he wouldn’t support any changes to the license plate. Minutes later, Deal backtracked and said “It’s time we take a further look at it.”

Well, let’s make sure that “further look” is sooner, rather than later.

Send an email to Governor Deal with the message below, demanding that he take immediate action.

“I am offended that the State of Georgia issues official license plates bearing the Confederate battle flag. Georgia should not promote a symbol associated with organizations advocating expressions of hate. The act of making the Confederate battle flag available for display makes the State of Georgia complicit in promoting fear and hatred.”

“Last year you removed the statue of a white supremacist from the Capitol steps. Today, you can remove a divisive symbol from our license plates.”

The Confederate flag is a divisive symbol, and represents a piece of Georgia’s history. And history belongs in a museum—not on a license plate. For Georgia to move forward, we have to let go of yesterday. Especially when all too many of those yesterdays were filled with violence and hate.

Tell Governor Deal to act NOW.