A controversial exhibit of Confederate flags on St. Patrick's Day Parade Sunday on Long Island sparked rage and elicited apologies and promises of change from local organizers.
The flags flew from the truck during a parade in the Bayport Blue Point community quickly sparked a stir from many in the crowd as soon as they notified them.
Karl Auwaerter, president of Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce, said the parade committee was caught off guard by the exhibition and did not appear to be part of the ceremony or part of the ceremony.
“I deeply regret the ominous exhibit that took place at this year's St. Patrick's Day parade.” He spoke to Newsday. “What happened had never happened before and we weren't ready.”
Auwaerter admitted that the Parade Committee had no protocol to handle such cases, but once the flag was noted, organizers immediately worked to remove the flag from the truck.
The Confederate flag was hung from a vehicle behind a truck at a local seafood market and restaurant, the fishmonger.
In response to the backlash, the restaurant issued a statement on social media saying it would never support this flag or its meaning, offering an apology for its “misunderstanding.”
Suffolk County Councilman Dominic Thorne, who marched in the parade, didn't know the flag until the next day.
“Not only was it surprising to hear this happened, I supported anything that would divide our county,” Thorne told Newsday. “There is no room for hatred in our county,” he added.
The St. Paddy parade incident comes days after two Long Island Volunteer Fire Stations (Brookhaven and Levittown) agreed to settle allegations of illegal discrimination, undergo human rights training, and stop displaying Confederate symbols on vehicles and equipment.
The settlement comes after years of complaints about discriminatory behavior by a pair of fire departments, including allegations that they displayed Confederate flags and included racially insensitive images on fire trucks and uniforms.
The fire department also agreed to pay $28,000 in fines to resolve additional claims related to “illegal enquiries” if the applicant has a country of origin, religion and criminal history.
Both departments will remain during the review of the state's human rights department for the next three years.
The Human Rights Department in New York saw the Confederate flag as a symbol of hatred and racism. He added that presence in public agencies like fire departments undermines public trust and damages community relations.
