Amarillo group plans Confederate flag rally despite not receiving parade permit

James Roberts, of Amarillo, will join others Sunday in a convoy outfitted with Confederate, U.S. and Texas flags to show their support for what they call a symbol of heritage, not hate. Amanda Castro-Crist / Amarillo Globe-NewsAmanda Castro-Crist / Amarillo Globe-News

AMARILLO -- As heated discussion over the Confederate flag continues across the nation, a local group plans to show its support for what members call a symbol of heritage, not hate.

“They’re trying to take our rights away of flying our flag,” James Roberts said. “I feel that we need to stand up, speak as one in a total group and stand up for our rights and our freedom again.”

At 1 p.m. Sunday, the group led by Roberts will conduct an event called Fly Your Flag Sunday. The event will start at John S. Stiff Memorial Park and continue to 6100 S. Soncy Road, near Hillside Christian Church. Vehicles displaying Confederate, U.S., Texas and other flags will line up and travel from southwest Amarillo to north Amarillo and then back.

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Roberts said they planned to pay four off-duty Amarillo police to escort the convoy, but the were denied a parade permit. Amarillo Police Department Cpl. Jerry Neufeld said the request came too late and four officers would not be enough.

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Several people have said they’ll block intersections themselves, but Neufeld cautioned against that.

“They will be cited for impeding traffic,” Neufeld said. “They cannot block intersections with their own private vehicles.”

Read more: http://amarillo.com/news/local-news/2015-07-09/group-plans-confederate-flag-rally