After much petitioning and contention last month, the NAACPsucceeded in getting a Confederate flag removed from a popularAugusta park. The removal of the negative symbol occurred daysbefore the NAACP was to hold its state convention in Georgia.

The state NAACP has held annual conferencessince 2000, the year the association first place economic sanctionson South Carolina aimed at getting a Confederate flag at the SouthCarolina’s statehouse grounds removed.

Although the flag was removed from thelegislative offices, the officials placed a duplicate at a monumenton the grounds in memoriam of fallen Confederate soldiers.

Supporters of the banner are disappointed ofthe removal and announce that they may sue to have the flag putback at the Augusta park, next to the meeting site.

Mayor Bob Young supports the removal andsuggests the flag was taken down after a conversation with theAugusta chapter president of the NAACP, Charles Smith and otherpetitioners.

“We had discussions about it andinquired about who had authority to remove it,” said DwightJames, executive director of the South Carolina NAACP in anAssociated Press article.  “We expressed some concernsto the Augusta branch and they took the initiative.”

The Confederate flag continues to be a symbolof the indignities of the Civil War and the racism that encompassedthe pre-civil rights America for many Blacks, especially in theSouth where slavery originated.

Although the NAACP has fought hard to get theflag removed, the battle may not be over as many groups intend tofight to have the flag replaced.

Woody Highsmith and members of variousConfederate Heritage groups are incensed and have held meetings todetermine the next step they will take in their attempts ofprotecting the historical banner.  An estimated 300 intend onprotesting at the NAACP meeting at the park.

“The NAACP knew a year ago they weremeeting at the Radisson, but they waited until now to force thisissue,” Highsmith told the AP. “If they don’treinstate it, we’ll sue.”