Protests continue in Marion County over Confederate flag

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — Another protest over the Confederate flag was held Wednesday in front of the McPherson government complex in Ocala.

Marion County took down the flag last month after a church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, but commissioners decided to raise it again.

More than 100 people on both sides of the issue protested Wednesday.

One group wants the flag to go, and the other wants it to stay.

Police were at the protest to make sure it stayed peaceful.

The controversy started last month when a Marion County official decided to take down the flag.

Outraged supporters took their complaints to county leaders, who voted to put it back up.

"That flag up there is the third national flag, and it was not introduced until 1865. The slaves were freed in 1863 and that flag does not represent slavery, and we do not represent anything but heritage," a protester said.

"The flag symbolizes hate. Literature facts and FBI reports, local police, sheriff's offices, all have records that... this flag has been involved with ugly and hideous, hateful acts," another protester said.

Supporters of the flag held a parade over the weekend. Police said some shots were fired, but no one was injured.

Wednesday's protest was peaceful. People on both sides said they planned to continue to fight to keep the flag up or have it removed.

WFTV