ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia city did not violate the constitutional rights of a Sons of Confederate Veterans group when it banned the Confederate battle flag from its annual parade honoring veterans of American wars, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. While the city of Alpharetta emerged victorious Tuesday, the dispute ultimately led city officials to end the parade. Alpharetta Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard said in an email that the city doesn’t comment on matters pending in court. The letter said “the Confederate Battle Flag has become a divisive symbol that a large portion of our citizens see as symbolizing oppression and slavery.” That divisiveness would detract from the goals of the parade and the city, supported by the mayor, had decided not to allow the Confederate battle flag to be displayed in the parade. The Sons of Confederate Veterans group did not participate, and instead their sympathizers flew the Confederate battle flag along the parade route.

Source: thestar September 28, 2021 21:45 UTC