CRESTVIEW – Resident and President of the Okaloosa County NAACP Ray Nelson said the organization welcomed the decision to remove the rebel battle flag from the Lundy memorial, but said his members want assurance the move is permanent.
“We request you put it in writing that the flag will not fly over the city of Crestview again,” Nelson said, addressing the City Council at its Monday meeting. “We want your assurance it will be permanently removed.”
Nelson said city leaders’ decision to cancel a July 7 special meeting to discuss the flag was interpreted by his organization as “avoidance.”
“Across the country eyes are being opened and hearts are being filled,” Nelson said. “The Crestview community is too diverse. It's the right time (to remove the flag permanently).”
Nelson emphasized that the Lundy memorial itself “has never been an issue for the NAACP,” which is agreeable to leaving the memorial in place with the American flag flying above it.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: NAACP wants written assurance battle flag won’t fly over Crestview again