Judge Refuses To Throw Out Confederate Tag Case
Confederate Flag Could Show Up On Florida License Plates
December 3, 2009
ORLANDO, Fla. — Some say it’s a reminder of a significant part of U.S. History, others say it’s a symbol of racism and hatred. Now, the
Confederate Flag could show up on Florida license tags after what will surely become a lengthy legal debate.
"The purpose of our organization is to preserve a great part of American History and to honor the Veterans that served," said John Adams, Chairman of the Confederate Heritage Plate Committee of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.
Like all other specialty tags, the plate would raise $25 for each tag purchased.
“One of the things you do with money is you educate people,” Adams said. “We need to educate lots of people."
But four years after it was first proposed, the legislature has still not moved on it which prompted the Sons of the Confederate Veterans to sue.
"We followed all the procedures, paid the fees required by the state, and did absolutely everything that was required by law, and the politicians in the Florida Legislature failed to follow their own statutes. Now it appears that parts or all of those statutes may be stricken by the federal court as an unconstitutional infringement of First Amendment rights," stated Adams.
Despite the state’s objection. A Federal judge refused to throw the suit out.
Adams says the $25 dollars, multiplied by the 45,000 tags he thinks will be requested, will build museums and preserve battlefields.
“The people want something and it’s their right to have it.” Adams said. “Public opinion doesn’t determine what people’s rights are, the constitution does."
Some are not so sure a Confederate license tag would be a progressive movement for the State of Florida.
“I think it’s a horrible idea,” President of the Orange County NAACP Rev. Randolph Bracy said.
“All they want to do is muck rake and make up, supposedly the heritage. That’s a sorted heritage, because that is absolutely repugnant to me," Bracy said.
Copyright 2009 by WESH.COM.
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