The city of Alpharetta banned the Confederate flag from its annual Old Soldiers Day parade. But that didn’t stop some spectators from flying the flag along the route Saturday.
Photos of people carrying the flag during the parade have been displayed on social media since the annual event had its latest run.
One post prompted Councilman Jason Binder to respond.
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“Unfortunately,” Binder wrote in a tweet, “some individuals attending the event chose to stand along the route with the flag on display, apparently in protest of the City’s prohibition.
“I am disappointed that the actions of a few took away from the event where families and children celebrate our veterans who fought for the liberty and freedom our nation enjoys today.”
Binder told AJC.com on Sunday that he “felt it was a big enough issue to respond to.”
City officials gave a prominent pro-Confederate group plenty of notice that the flag would not be allowed in the parade.
In a letter dated July 20, Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard told the Sons of Confederate Veterans that they could participate — but could not fly the flag.
“Regardless of one’s personal position on the flag itself, that the Confederate Battle Flag is today a symbol that is dividing individuals, populations and even entire communities is something that we must acknowledge,” the letter said.
The parade actually began as a tribute to Civil War veterans, according to the website. It was abandoned, but revived in 1952, and now is dedicated to all veterans.
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