by Freeda Cathcart
The Sons of the Confederacy did more than cross the boundary of decency when they waved the confederate battle flag in Roanoke’s Christmas parade, one of their members put people’s lives in danger.
A man waving the confederate battle flag on a horse came toward the NAACP supporters along the parade route. He was smiling as he said Merry Christmas coming closer and closer. When he got within a few feet of the group, He was advised to back off and not come closer. He continued smiling and saying Merry Christmas as he turned the horse around so the horse’s backside was within the kick zone of the group. A police officer was near him and members summoned his assistance in an effort to keep the horse away from the crowd.
The man rode away tipping his hat and smiling.
Many in the area considered his actions dangerous and intimidating. A horse’s kick zone is 2 meters from directly behind a horse. One of the first lessons a horse back rider is taught is never to be directly behind a horse. The man riding the horse was an experienced rider and would have known he was putting people in danger. It would have been easy for him to signal the horse with his knees for it to kick and try to make it look like it was an accident.
Instead of turning the horse around so his rear end was facing us, the rider should have either backed up until he was out of the kick zone or turned the horse so his side was toward us as he slowly angled back to the center.
His behavior was similar to pointing a gun while smiling and saying Merry Christmas. His actions did not match his words. He did prove that people waving the Confederate battle flag continue to try to intimidate and bully people who don’t agree with them.
His intimidating actions weren’t reported in the media yet white washed the Sons of Confederacy’s participation in the parade as honoring their heritage and broadcast the story that the flag had nothing to do with hate or racism.
There is a reason there was a large number marching with the Sons of Confederacy and why there were so many cheering in the crowd. Daniel Terri Highberger created and launched a video on Facebook with the following message: “Im making this video in response to the NAACP & BLM threats to our groups and in support of our local patriot movement. This is your call to arms patriots! VA needs you to stand in support of the SCV. The racist in the NAACP are trying to shut us down. We the People CAN NOT let that happen. Get motivated folks and stop pussy footin around. SONS OF LIBERTY III% SWVA.”
Highberger encourages people to openly carry firearms when they attend the parade and to “give them hell with a rebel yell.” He said in the video the NAACP was trying to prevent the Sons of Confederacy from participating in the parade–which was not entirely true. The NAACP was asking them to not have the Confederate battle flag in the Christmas parade. The video can be found on the Black Lives Matter – Roanoke VA Facebook page.
It’s important people know there is a hate group in our region spreading lies, inciting people to take up arms and putting lives in danger. The community and government need to work together to address hate groups in order to protect the public especially during these volatile times.
