County Officials Served with Federal Lawsuit in Ongoing Virginia Flag Fight

 

BREAKING NEWS!  Prince Edward County, Virginia officials served with federal lawsuit over illegal and unconstitutional harassment of landowner. 

Prince Edward County has been trying for over four years to force the removal of the High Bridge Memorial Battle Flag. While their efforts have been unsuccessful, they have wasted hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars and county resources in the failed attempts.  As a result of the ongoing persecution, the landowner has been forced to spend precious resources of time and money, and faced attacks on her character and her business.    It is clear from statements from multiple county officials that the type of flag being flown is why the county is fighting so hard to have it removed. 

On Monday, June 1, 2026, at 10:00 AM, the county is taking the landowner back to court to try and get an order to have the flag removed.  They have threatened her with hefty fines and jail time if she refuses to comply. 

Enough is enough.  Earlier This week, a federal civil rights lawsuit was filed in Richmond  against Prince Edward County. Today, Prince Edward County officials, including the Board of Supervisors and several zoning and planning officials were SERVED. The lawsuit accuses Prince Edward County of violating the landowners’ constitutional right to free speech.  You can read the filing in its entirety here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Syhqu9n5y0ZPGAKsp5_aMP8-C6orv7Q_/view?usp=sharing

This litigation will not be inexpensive, but we are more determined than ever to take this as far as necessary to ensure that no private citizen ever has to endure what we have in order to defend their right to free speech on their own private property.

 

A brief history of the flag fight:

Just a few days after the flag was raised and dedicated in April of 2022, the Prince Edward County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors began their campaign of harassment and massive spending in an attempt to appease a handful of complainers, and force the removal of the memorial.  Although Virginia law protects citizens from this type of action 60 days after a building permit is issued, the landowner was threatened with imprisonment and fines if the flag was not removed, a full 4 months after the permit was issued and final inspection approved.  The Prince Edward County Board of Zoning appeals sided with us, citing the above-mentioned law and ruled against the county.  The Board of Supervisors then voted to APPEAL the decision of their own Board of Zoning Appeals and the case was heard in Circuit Court.  Once again, the Circuit Court ruled that the memorial was protected by law and denied the County's appeal.  

After two years of legal proceedings and hundreds of thousands of dollars of taxpayer dollars wasted on appeals, the Virginia Court of Appeals ruled AGAINST Prince Edward County and upheld previous rulings that the Rt. 460 High Bridge Memorial Battle Flag in Farmville was properly and legally installed and will remain.  This decision was relevant to the size and location of the 80’ pole.  Prince Edward County FINALLY decided against any further appeal in this matter and the flagpole WILL REMAIN. 

In the meantime, we still have a fight on our hands, as the county decided to harass the landowner regarding the SIZE OF THE FLAG.  This case, which includes threats of fines and imprisonment, is now pending before the Prince Edward County Circuit Court.

After judges of the circuit court recused themselves from hearing the case, the Virginia Supreme Court appointed retired circuit court judge J. Leyburn Mosby to hear the case. Before retirement Judge Mosby sat primarily in the Lynchburg area. Judge Mosby previously heard a related case against Ms. Bowman over the height of the flagpole on which she displays her flag. Ms. Bowman prevailed in that case.

Recently, the attorney representing Prince Edward County withdrew from its representation. A new attorney is now representing the County, and the Court and a trial date of Monday, June 1st has just been scheduled.  

We have no plans to lower the flag or raise a smaller one.  The flag we raised is appropriate to the size of the pole, and new laws restricting flags were enacted AFTER the flag was raised.

 **To assist with legal fees:  

Make checks payable to: The Virginia Flaggers (Note High Bridge Legal Fund) and mail to PO Box 157 Rice, VA 23966

Or donate online  Here or Here 

BREAKING! Virginia Governor Terminates Tax Exemption for Southern Historical Societies

 

BREAKING NEWS!!!! Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger’s Hateful Assault on American Heritage: Tax Exemptions Stripped from Confederate Organizations!  

In a stunning act of targeted bigotry, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has signed into law HB 167, stripping tax exemptions from longstanding 501(c)(3) nonprofit heritage organizations tied to Southern history. 

The bill, approved by the Democratic-controlled legislature down straight party lines and signed on April 14, 2026, eliminates property tax breaks and tax exemptions specifically for groups that have ties to Confederate history, and have maintained historic sites and supported community causes for generations. 

Among those now forced to pay taxes on their real estate and property transfers are the Virginia Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the General Organization of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the Confederate Memorial Literary Society, the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Incorporated, the Virginia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, and the J.E.B. Stuart Birthplace Preservation Trust.

Spanberger, a New Jersey native, shows zero hesitation in going after these distinctly American heritage groups—organizations run by descendants of veterans who have done immense good through historic preservation, education, veteran support, and charitable work. 

 

The United Daughters of the Confederacy, for example, has long partnered with food banks, homeless shelters, and civic initiatives while safeguarding monuments and records that honor the sacrifices of Southern families. The Sons of Confederate Veterans and related trusts maintain battlefields, birthplaces, and memorials that teach history rather than erase it. 

Yet this governor has no apparent problem with far-left discriminatory programs, organizations aiding open borders, or activist groups pushing radical agendas. She targets only these American heritage nonprofits while leaving untouched any number of foreign-linked or leftist causes. This is not neutral governance—it is selective persecution.

Let there be no doubt: this woman’s venomous attack reeks of pure ideological hate. Spanberger has revealed herself as an enemy from within, weaponizing state power to punish organizations whose only “crime” is remembering the valor and principles of their ancestors. 

These groups are not hate organizations; they are stewards of history that millions of Virginians and Southerners hold dear. By contrast, she would never dream of revoking exemptions from groups celebrating far-left heritage, foreign interests, or progressive, godless activism. 

Her move exposes the double standard at the heart of today’s leftist agenda: American traditions are fair game for destruction, while everything else is protected.

This despicable decision must serve as a rallying cry and a warning for all time. Governor Spanberger has shown exactly how low unchecked leftists will go when they hold power—erasing heritage one tax bill at a time. 

Every patriot must now stand up: support the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and the other targeted groups with donations, membership, and volunteer work. 

Band together, get involved, and fight back against this cultural vandalism. Do not let this New Jersey transplant and her allies destroy what generations of Americans built. 

Spanberger’s hateful legacy should stand forever as Exhibit A of the great evil we face—and the resolve required to overcome it. The time to defend our heritage is now. 

Bill to Remove Last Confederate Monuments Standing in Richmond Unexpectedly Dies in Budget Committee

 

In an unexpected development, a bill in the Virginia Senate to get rid of the last remaining Confederate statues in Richmond was killed by a House committee, but it is unlikely that democrats will let up in their all out assault on Virginia's history and heritage. 

A statue honoring Confederate General Stonewall Jackson stands in the most prominent spot in all of Capitol Square. That statue, along with two others honoring noble Virginians who contributed to the defense of Virginia during the War for Southern Independence, was about to be removed because of a bill that passed the Senate that was included in the Senate budget. Unexpectedly, a House committee killed the bill last week at the last minute as budget negotiations between the House and Senate broke down. Former Senator Adam Ebbin of Alexandria introduced the bill to ditch the statues, and he says he's hopeful the effort will be resurrected during the budget special session next month.

 "I would have preferred the bill passed just to make it explicit, but I'm confident that it’ll be in the final budget agreement," Ebbin says. "And I'm very hopeful that that will prevail."

Unfortunately, legislation to strip several of of Virginia's honorable historical societies of their property tax exemption and to discontinue license plates honoring Robert E. Lee and the Sons of Confederate Veterans did pass. The license plate measure was introduced by Delegate Dan Helmer, a Democrat from Fairfax County.

"Virginia needs to end itself being in the business of celebrating traitors who killed American soldiers to defend slavery," says Helmer. "That's not who we need to be as a country, and we're going to finish the job of making sure that America is about celebrating all Americans."  Both measures passed along strict party lines with ALL democrats voting for the bills, and ALL Republicans voting against them. 

Governor Youngkin vetoed similar legislation in 2024 and 2025, rightfully citing the "inappropriate precedent" of targeting organizations out of hate and spite.  Spanberger has until April 13th to make a decision about the Confederate license plates and tax exemption bills, but is expected to abide by the wishes of the handful demanding these changes, just as Democrats in the legislature did, and despite the fact that polls have repeatedly found that the majority of Virginians are AGAINST such measures. 

Lawmakers are expected to return to Richmond to strike a deal on the budget April 23rd.  
 

 

Contact Governor Spanberger and ask her to stop the nonsense and VETO HB167 and HB1344.

Online contact portal here: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/contact/

Phone: 804-786-2211

Email: abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov

Mail:

Governor of Virginia

Abigail Spanberger

P.O Box 1475

Richmond, VA 23218
 

Bill details here: https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB167 and  https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB1344  

*Graphic courtesy of Judy Smith Photography

Remembering the Life of Southern Heritage Activist HK Edgerton

 

OBITUARY
Harold Kenneth “HK” Edgerton
February 18, 1948 – January 18, 2026


Harold Kenneth Edgerton “HK,” 77, went to be with his Lord and Savior and his family and Southern heroes and family on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Asheville Veterans Administration Medical Center in Asheville, NC.

He was born in Asheville, NC on February 18, 1948, to Roland Roger Edgerton and Anna B. Edgerton.

Mr. Edgerton is survived by his brothers, Rashad Hasan of Stone Mountain, Georgie, Terry Lee Edgerton and sister Obra Elaine Hall and “Favorite Niece” Danielle Hall, Niece Shykita Hill, Nephews Corey Edgerton and Darius Edgerton, and a host of Great Nieces and Nephews of Asheville, North Carolina.

Mr. Edgerton graduated Asheville High School in 1967 and served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam as Signal Corp Instructor at Fort Monmouth, NJ 1969-1972.

He graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1976 with a B.S. While in college, he was Chairman of the Board of the United Way Agency that was responsible for running the Sabathani Community Center in south Minneapolis. He founded the University of Minnesota Black Student Center and served on the Student Regent Board of Directors.

He served as an intern for the Green Giant Company, Customer Service Engineer for International Business Machines (IBM), and later he and his brother Terry Lee owned and operated Edgerton and Edgerton Office Products in Fullerton, California from 1981-1989. He later consulted with APAC, a Fortune 500 company.

He returned to Asheville to serve his hometown in various roles after his retirement including serving as Chairman of the Program Planning and Implementation Committee for the Asheville-Buncombe County Drug Commission, first as Vice President and later as President of the Asheville Branch of the NAACP and conducted a bid for Mayor of the City of Asheville. He received the Citizen of the Year Award.

He was a supporter and leader of youth sports and education, including being a volunteer and founder of the Boys and Girls Golf Team at Shiloh Community Center in Asheville and volunteer coach at Oakley Middle School for girl’s and boys’ basketball. He was a teacher’s aide at Ira B. Jones Elementary School.

He was best known for his Southern civil rights activism. He saw the people of the South being discriminated against and he fought vigorously to support them. He frequently appeared in the news and was featured in an episode of Penn and Teller. He gained international recognition during his Historical March Across Dixie which began in Asheville in 2002 at the now-removed Asheville, NC Vance Monument, and culminated January 26, 2003 in Austin, TX. The March brought attention to the decision by then Governor George W. Bush to remove historic plaques from the Texas Supreme Court Building by marching donned in the uniform of a Confederate Soldier carrying the Confederate Battle Flag.

He was a plaintiff in several lawsuits including against the U.S. Army to prevent the removal of the Reconciliation Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery. He authored an Open Letter and Report on his activities for two decades and was a frequent public speaker on Southern History and served as an expert witness in two lawsuits.

He was widely acclaimed for his efforts and received the Key to the City of Carthage, Texas and the Key to the City of Toccoa, Georgia, the Horace L. Hunley Award from the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Gen. Robert E. Lee Medal from The Virginia Division, SCV, the Jefferson Davis Medal from the Texas Division, UDC, SC Division SCV, Lifetime Achievement Award, North Carolina Order of Confederate Rose, John F. Harris Award, Mississippi Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans and others.

He was a member of numerous organizations including Chairman Board of Advisors Emeritus Southern Legal Resource Center, Save Southern Heritage Florida, Founder, Veterans Defending Arlington, Honorary Scots of Austin, Honorary Life Member North Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia Orders of the Confederate Rose, Honorary Life Member Jackson Rangers Camp 1917 Sons of Confederate Veterans, Associate Member Abner Baker Chapter 2614 United Daughters of the Confederacy, Honorary Member of Augusta Jane Evans Wilson, Chapter 2640 UDC, and the Judah P. Benjamin Camp 2210, SCV, Honorary Life Member, Longstreet Zollicoffer Camp 87 Sons of Confederate Veterans, Honorary Member Simonton-Wilcox Camp 257 Sons of Confederate Veterans, Honorary Life Member, Zebulon Baird Vance Camp 15, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Honorary Member Maria Baker Lemmon, TN OCR #25, Honorary Life Member, Forest Orphans Camp 1744, Sons of Confederate Veterans Honorary, Camp Commander, Granbury, Texas Brigade Camp 1479 Sons of Confederate Veterans, and Honorary Life Member Bradford Rose Camp 1638 Sons of Confederate Veterans.

He passed away peacefully in his sleep after a prolonged illness arising from the COVID vaccine.

Final arrangements will be announced in the future and planning is underway. For more information visit: https://forms.gle/XE3627EHgc2xZNF76 

Charlie Kirk - Martyr for Truth and Freedom

 

Yesterday's violent assassination of Charlie Kirk has made one thing abundantly clear.  

This is spiritual warfare, friends. Good vs evil. The wicked rage when good men stand up and speak out on the authority of the Word of God. Charlie Kirk refused to be silenced. He would not hide. He told young people that they should get married, have babies, work hard, respect the law, love their country, and return to their faith. Millions listened. Millions followed his example. For this, he was murdered.

They think that by silencing Charlie they can stop the revival. But they can’t, because what they don’t yet realize is that wicked men cannot stop what God has ordained. Jesus has already won the victory.

Charlie stepped into glory yesterday.  Of this, anyone who followed him has no doubt. It is up to us to continue the work on earth until God calls us home. “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:2 KJV.

 

His  voice of reason will be greatly missed. 

“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him.
May the souls of all the faithful departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace.”

Virginia Governor VETOES Democrats' Attempt to Punish Historical Societies

In a flurry of last minute action on a number of bills, Governor Glenn Youngkin has vetoed House Bill 1699, a bill that passed the Virginia Legislature with almost no Republican support, and would have stripped selected non-profit historical groups of property tax exemptions that have been in place for decades.  Read more here

In his decision, Governor Youngkin lashed out at Democrats for their selective targeting of groups that they don't like for punishment, and chastised them for refusing his suggestion of studies to reform the process.

This is the second attempt by Democrats to punish Confederate Historical Societies in as many years, and the second veto by Governor Youngkin. 

When this bill made its way through the legislature this session,  Delegates Carrie Coyner (75th District)  and AC Cordova (86th District) were the only Republicans to vote to pass the bill. BOTH of these legislators also voted FOR the hateful bill last year AND the failed attempt to revoke our Robert E Lee plates, and should be held accountable for their actions in joining hands with Democrats to pass these bills.

 

 

 

 

Woke attempts to censure and erase history in the Commonwealth have proven unpopular with the majority of citizens, and the Governor's office heard from thousands of constituents who requested he VETO this bill.  As  Virginian's prepare for upcoming elections, they are asking pointed questions of candidates, many unwilling to support those who will not pledge to stand up to the radical left on this issue.  

 

 

 

 

 

Virginia Governor Faces Dealine to Veto WOKE Bill Designed to Dismantle Historicla Groups in Virginia

Across the country, localities are pushing back against the left's radical agenda to erase our history and heritage.  Several states have pending bills that will add or strengthen war memorial protection laws, as citizens, weary of the woke policies of the past few years, work to elect representatives and leaders who will not cater to the demands of our modern day carpetbaggers and scalawags.  

In Virginia, the democratically controlled legislature continues its assault.  This session, monument protection bills, simply calling for referendums before removal, were killed in committee by democrats, while a bill to yank the property tax exemption status on several of Virginia's finest historical and benevolent societies passed through both houses.  Last year, Governor Youngkin vetoed similar legislation after a flood of constituent communications, and considering the statement that was made with President Trump's decisive victory on the same platform, it is expected he will do the same this year, but not guaranteed.  He has not publicly commented on the matter.  

The veto deadline is midnight Monday, March 24th.  He has until then to sign the bill, veto it, or take no action, in which case the bill would become law.  

Contact Governor Youngkin:   

Use this online form: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/communicating-with-the.../
Phone: 804-786-2211
Email: glenn.youngkin@governor.virginia.gov