GASTONIA, N.C. -- Over 100 people rallying for the Confederate flag today say they don't want it removed from public places because they don't believe it's an offensive or racist symbol. Instead, they're stressing how important it is to the history of our country, specifically in the south.
"It's not about racism," said supporter Tim Guthrie. "It's about our family heritage."
Guthrie and organizer Bill Starnes say the "Save the Flag Rally" was an unfortunate necessity.
"Now is not even the time to be having these discussions," Starnes said. "We should be in prayer daily for the victims of that tragedy."
That tragedy, being the shootings in Charleston last week. The Confederate flag has come under heavy scrutiny ever since because of its association with confessed shooter Dylan Roof.
"He sees what he thought was a hate symbol, because he was a hate-filled person," Starnes said.
Guthrie says he's worried about the potential that the flag could be banned at public buildings and stores. He says he himself has been yelled at many times for having Confederate symbols with him.
"I believe I have the right to fly my flag," Guthrie said.
Starnes continued to stress that the flag has nothing to do with race, but everything to do with southern history.
"To attack our symbols out of ignorance, we must speak up," Starnes said. "We must speak up and defend ourselves."
There will be another Confederate rally tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 in Salisbury.
