GREAT NEWS FROM OUR FRIENDS AT SAVE OUR CIRCLE!

"HUGE MONUMENTS NEWS UPDATE: We are thrilled to report that the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has granted a preliminary injunction to stop the City of New Orleans from moving forward with the removal of the monuments. This injunction will remain in place while the case is on appeal!!"

 

 http://www.saveourcircle.com/
Happy Easter, Mitch! DEO VINDICE!

Virginia Flaggers

  
P.O. Box 547
Sandston VA 23150
info@vaflaggers.com 

Charlottesville "Tear Down the Monuments" Rally Report and Update

http://m.roanoke.com/news/virginia/movement-afoot-in-charlottesville-to-remove-lee-statue/article_eaa388d5-464c-5d72-be93-2f9597c52607.html?mode=jqm

On Monday night, March 21st, Charlottesville Mayor Mike Signer submitted the following, very revealing "statement", concerning City Council's plans for the Confederate monuments in Charlottesville.

On Tuesday, March 22nd, members of the Virginia Flaggers joined several dozen history and heritage supporters to protest a press conference held in Charlottesville's Lee Park, by Charlottesville City Council Vice-Mayor Wes Bellamy to announce plans to tear down the RE Lee statue and change the park name. 

Monument supporters reported that Bellamy and others ranted that  Robert E. Lee was "trash" that needed to be disposed of, and blamed the memorial for everything from "racism" to "homophobia".  The vicious attacks were difficult to hear, and monument supporters are to be commended for their brave stand, and excellent conduct in the face of blatant hate and bigotry. 

Great report here:  http://www.nbc29.com/story/31536897/people-show-support-for-opposition-to-lee-statue-in-charlottesville

One of the highlights of the event was the opportunity to flag and engage Councilman Kristen Szacos, who was the first to call for the removal of the monuments several years ago...

A big thanks to ALL who came out to take a stand!  

Later in the afternoon, we released the following statement: March 22, 2016
Richmond, Va

"The Mayor, Vice-Mayor, and Councilman Scazos are wasting the taxpayers' money and time by proposing the removal of the monuments in Charlottesville, in clear violation of Virginia state law. (15.2-1812 - Memorials for war veterans)
The governor's recent veto of the proposed amendment did not change the law, nor does it allow for the removal of monuments and memorials. In fact, the Virginia legislature reaffirmed the law's original intent. Thankfully, it is still illegal to remove monuments and memorials in the Commonwealth, and our veterans' memorials are safe from the mob mentality of the PC revisionists and haters in Charlottesville and across the Commonwealth.
We believe that Charlottesville City Council members should have better things to do than to pursue these self-serving publicity stunts that only serve to divide us and create animosity in the community.

Neither the Virginia Flaggers, nor the citizens of the Commonwealth are going to stand by and allow this ISIS like destruction of our history and heritage. If Charlottesville City Council decides to ignore the law and pursues this repulsive purge, they will face serious consequences -- in civil and criminal court -- and in the court of public opinion, which according to all available public polling on the subject, overwhelmingly supports keeping the monuments right where they are. "

Call to action:

*Continue to contact Charlottesville City Council:  An email to this address:  council@charlottesville.org will be sent to each Council member, the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and the Clerk of Council.

You can also use this link to contact each council member individually via phone and/or email:  http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-council/council-members

*Sign the petition to save the monuments here and ask others to do the same:  https://www.change.org/p/mike-signer-keep-the-robert-e-lee-statue-in-lee-park?recruiter=12538528&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=share_twitter_responsive

Stay tuned for more information, updates, and opportunities to join the fight!

Susan Hathaway

Va Flaggers

Virginia Flaggers

P.O. Box 547

Sandston VA 23150

info@vaflaggers.com

Va Flaggers: RE Lee Statue in Charlottesville Latest Target of PC

Charlottesville Vice-Mayor calls for removal of the magnificent RE Lee equestrian statue, and wants the park renamed:

http://www.nbc29.com/story/31521671/vice-mayor-wes-bellamy-take-down-robert-e-lee-statue

 "Charlottesville's vice mayor is calling on City Council to take down a statue honoring Confederate general Robert E. Lee and rename the park that surrounds it.

Vice Mayor Wes Bellamy and his supporters will hold a press conference in Lee Park on Tuesday. Bellamy says this is a chance for the community to stand together to show the city that it's time for change.

He says the Robert E. Lee statue has symbolized a lot of different things since it was installed in 1924. Bellamy believes city leaders need to take action when anyone in the community feels disrespected.

"I've spoken with several different people who have said they have refused to step foot in to that park because of what that statue and the name of that park represents. And we can't have that in the city of Charlottesville," Bellamy said.

Charlottesville City Councilor Kristin Szakos faced strong criticism a few years ago for questioning the relevance of the Confederate statues.

http://wina.com/news/064460-064460-064460-064460-064460-bellamy-backs-removing-statue/

Apparently, the Vice-Mayor's "supporters" include the members of this group "Unity in the Community"...

Are YOU mad enough yet?

Call to action:

*Call and/or email City Council members ASAP and voice your displeasure with this proposal.  Remind them that removal of monuments is still protected by Va State law. and is listed on the Virginia Landmark Registry and the National Register of Historic Places.   Ask them if they really want to bring this kind of disunity and unrest to their city by disrespecting the history and heritage of its citizens.  Tell them to leave our monuments and memorials alone.

An email to this address: council@charlottesville.org will be sent to each Council member, the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and the Clerk of Council.

You can also use this link to contact each council member individually via phone and/or email:  http://www.charlottesville.org/departments-and-services/departments-a-g/city-council/council-members

"Duty is the most sublime word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less."  ~ R. E. Lee

The Virginia Flaggers

Gov. McAuliffe Vetoes Veterans' War Memorial Protection Bill

The Governor of Virginia has bowed to pressure from the NAACP and liberal Democrats and announced today that he has vetoed a bill that would have strengthened the protection of Veterans' monuments and memorials in Virginia. Because of their political shenanigans, ALL veterans' monuments and memorials in the Commonwealth may be at risk. The Governor has effectively spit in the face of every veteran, living and dead. 

Virginia War Memorial, Richmond, VA

http://www.loudounnow.com/2016/03/10/mcauliffe-vetoes-war-memorials-preservation-bill/

From the Governor's office:

RICHMOND -- Today Governor Terry McAuliffe vetoed House Bill 587, which would hamper the authority of Virginia local governments to make their own decisions about monuments or war memorials within their jurisdictions.

The Governor also directed Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward, the former Mayor of Hampton, to form a work group with the Department of Historic Resources to begin a dialogue and study best practices about how to balance the preservation of history with the legitimate concerns many Virginians have about certain types of monuments and memorials. 

The Governor’s full veto statement is below: 

March 10, 2016

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6, of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 587, which overrides the authority of local governments to remove or modify monuments or war memorials erected before 1998. 

The rich history of our Commonwealth is one of our great assets. My administration strongly supports historic preservation efforts, including the preservation of war memorials and monuments. However, this legislation would have been a sweeping override of local authority over these monuments and memorials including potential ramifications for interpretive signage to tell the story of some of our darkest moments during the Civil War.

There is a legitimate discussion going on in localities across the Commonwealth regarding whether to retain, remove, or alter certain symbols of the Confederacy. These discussions are often difficult and complicated. They are unique to each community's specific history and the specific monument or memorial being discussed. This bill effectively ends these important conversations.

I am committed to supporting a constructive dialogue regarding the preservation of war memorials and monuments, but I do not support this override of local authority.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.

Sincerely,

Terence R. McAuliffe

This, less than a year after McAuliffe made the public statement "LEAVE ALL THE STATUES ALONE", when asked about the future of Richmond's Confederate monuments.   http://m.nbc12.com/nbc12/db_/contentdetail.htm?full=true&contentguid=od%3anY1X7UA4&pn=&ps=#display

This announcement is evidence of McAuliffe's inconsistency and hypocrisy, considering it comes on the heels of two other major press releases about preserving battlefields and a second season of a "Civil War" mini series ($$$)...issued just days before he vetoed a bill that would protect the monuments and memorials honoring the men who died defending the Commonwealth.
https://governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/newsarticle?articleId=14339
https://governor.virginia.gov/newsroom/newsarticle?articleId=14494

If you would like to let the Governor know how you feel about his decision, you can reach him here...  https://governor.virginia.gov/constituent-services/communicating-with-the-governors-office

Bottom line?

By vetoing the War Memorials Protection Bill, our carpetbagger Governor has made it very clear that he stands with the liberal Democrats in the Virginia Senate (House Democrats overwhelmingly supported the measure) and the NAACP who petitioned the Governor to veto the bill, and against ALL of Virginia's veterans. This, in a very public way, is done without truly harming our Cause.

The fact is, his veto is worthless. This bill ONLY served to tighten a possible loophole in a Virginia Statute that ALREADY protects our Veterans'monuments and memorials. The law still stands. He knows it does... and that it's just a matter of time until the Supreme Court says the same.

SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS!

Va Flaggers

P.O. Box 547

Sandston VA 23150

info@vaflaggers.com