City of Danville denies request to remove confederate flag

City of Danville denies request to remove confederate flag (Image 1) (Copyright by WSLS - All rights reserved)

DANVILLE (WSLS) - The Danville City Council voted 7 to 2 to approve a resolution directing the city manager to notify the Board of the Danville Museum of Fine Arts and History that the council cannot, under Virginia law, consider its request to remove the confederate flag from the grounds of the museum.

Dozens of people packed the council chambers. At times, emotions ran high as residents from both sides of the debate shared their views on the issue.

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On September 30, 2014 the city manager received a letter conveying the museum's board of directors request that the city remove the Confederate flag.

Those who support the removal of the flag said the flag is offensive to African Americans and other groups because it represents a symbol of discrimination and racism. On the other hand, members of Sons of Confederate Veterans said the flag honors those who fought for our country and should not be removed.

The city council's resolution to deny the request to remove the flag means that the flag with remain at the museum.