Local

Burke Co. pastors pen letter proposing switch of Confederate flags with symbol of unity

BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Two large Confederate flags flying along Interstate 40 in Burke County have been the subject of controversy for several years. Now, some local pastors are trying to get them replaced with symbols of unity.

Nearly 20 local pastors penned a letter to our news partners the Morganton News Herald over concerns about the flags placed at the main gateway to Burke County.

The letter said, "Regardless of the intention of those who have chosen to display this symbol, over time for many people, it has become inextricably linked to a shameful history of racism, segregation, and intimidation of minority groups."

Channel 9's Dave Faherty spoke with Pastor Dana McKim from First United Methodist Church, who said the pastors believe it does not represent the standards of Burke County.

"I think we collectively do not believe that the wide range of emotion represented in those two standards is representative of all of Burke County," McKim said.

The flags cost nearly $800 each, both were raised on private land, and they do not break any laws in Burke County.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans said they have no plans on taking them down.

"At the present time no," Elgie McGallard from the Sons of Confederate Veterans said. "We don't have no intention on taking them down. We just got to represent our heritage as long as we can. I think by taking down the monuments, destroying the monuments, defacing the monuments we put up to let people know we still remember our ancestors."

The pastors said they hope the letter sparks conversation.

One pastor told Channel 9 it emphasized the importance of people listening to concerns on both sides of the issue.