Alabama Lawmaker Gets Heated Over Downtown Confederate Flag Monument

Several black elected officials are calling on Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright to remove a downtown monument bearing the image of the Confederate battle flag. State Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, and others say they want the Confederate monument, located in front of the Montgomery Civic Center downtown, relocated to a more "appropriate" venue. Holmes said the marker is an insult to blacks and could negatively impact the growth of industry and tourism in Alabama. "The Confederate flag represents slavery and oppression for black people," Holmes said during a news conference in front of the monument Thursday afternoon. "When you see the KKK marching and demonstrating, they carry the Confederate flag. When you see the Neo-Nazis marching and demonstrating, they carry the Confederate flag because they know the Confederate flag represents hate." Furthermore, Holmes said, "The Montgomery Civic Center is being renovated in order to attract tourists and conventions, and for them to have that big Confederate flag here is not good for the city or the state." If Bright does not have the display removed, Holmes said that he will push legislation during the 2005 regular session of the Alabama Legislature to have it removed. The session starts Feb. 1. [more] and [more]