'Redneck' Santa parade float owner told to drop Confederate flags before Nelson event   tvnz.co.nz



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The creator of a Christmas parade float incorporating Confederate flags says he's been asked to drop the flag for the next parade - and will do so.

Glen James has participated in numerous parades in the Nelson and Richmond area, he said, and on Saturday he took part in the Richmond Parade with a float called "Rednek Xmas".

The float consisted of two large red Dodge Ram trucks decorated with Confederate Battle Flags, with participants wearing redneck-inspired clothing and using alcohol containers as props.

Tasman District Mayor Richard Kempthorne told Stuff the use of alcohol in a parade float aimed at families was inappropriate, as was the use of the flag which many find divisive.

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I didn't understand at first, why this guy knuckled under so easily but then I realized this parade was taking place in New Zealand. I understood even better when I read the description of the Confederate Flag as told to them....(see below)….If this is how the flag is described all over the world, no wonder people are so against it

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE CONFEDERATE FLAG AND WHY IS IT SO DIVISIVE?

The Confederate "Battle Flag" was used by the Army of North Viriginia during the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865.

The Army of North Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America, which fought the United States over their right to enslave black people, and lost.

Its display has been controversial in the US for many years due to its association with white supremacy, slavery, segregation, racism and even treason.

The use of the flag underwent a resurgence in the 1960s and was popularly used as a symbol of resistance towards the Civil Rights Movement.

Some southern Americans see the flag more as a symbol of cultural heritage and freedom, and as an opposition to anything liberal.