Confederate flag display at Long Island parade angers attendees

A Confederate flag displayed at a St. Patrick's Day parade in Bayport-Blue Point, Long Island, has caused significant outrage. The flag was flown from a truck during the event and was quickly noticed by many attendees, prompting an immediate reaction. The president of the Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce, Karl Auwaerter, expressed regret over the incident. He stated that the parade committee did not anticipate the flag’s presence, as it was not part of the planned activities. Auwaerter acknowledged that there was no protocol in place for handling such situations. Once the flag was noticed, organizers worked swiftly to remove it. The truck displaying the Confederate flag was associated with The Fish Store, a local seafood market. In response to the backlash, the store released a statement clarifying that they do not support the flag or its associated meanings and apologized for any misunderstanding. Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne, who participated in the parade, stated he was unaware of the flag until after the event. He emphasized that there is no place for hate in the community. This incident occurred just days after two Long Island volunteer fire departments, Brookhaven and Levittown, settled a discrimination lawsuit related to Confederate symbols. The departments will pay $28,000 in fines, undergo human rights training, and refrain from displaying such symbols in the future. New York's Human Rights Division has classified the Confederate flag as a symbol of hate, stressing its damaging impact on public trust.