Newton officials ramping up security for Soldiers Reunion Parade

NEWTON, N.C — A nearly century-old Confederate statue came crashing down during protests Monday in Durham.

It raises concerns, especially in Newton, where the Soldiers Reunion Parade is scheduled for this week.

The parade dates back to the late 1800s with a gathering of Confederate soldiers.

The 128th Soldiers Reunion Parade attracts 10,000 people each year to downtown Newton and security is in place to make sure nothing happens to the Confederate soldiers monuments in town.

Two days before the parade even starts, people placed chairs along the parade route.

“We're watching everything,” said Maj. Tim Hayes of the Newton Police Department. “Monuments are all city property, everybody's property. We're keeping an eye on everything citywide."

Just south of Newton, the Sons of Confederacy raised a huge flag along Highway 16 last month. The group said for every monument that comes down, they plan on putting up Confederate flags.

Smitty Smith, who showed his membership cards in the organization and the NAACP, said there are already six large flags in Catawba County.

"They take our monuments down, we put our flags up,” Smith said. “With this last thing, we will put up another mega-flag soon."

"If we're going to take down our history of the South, then let's take them all down. All of them,” said resident Jerry Poovey.

Two years ago, city leaders discussed banning the Confederate flag from the parade, but organizers agreed to allow Confederate re-enactors to use the flags.

Lorie Hodge took photos of the flag near Newton today and believes it sends the wrong message.

"White supremacy and I disagree with that, because we are a country of immigrants regardless of how we got here,” Hodge said.

Police were careful not to discuss details of their security plans, but emphasized they will do their best to keep anything from being damaged or destroyed.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Flash flooding washes away 20-foot section of Mallard Creek Road
• Charlotte School of Law closing immediately, alumni association says
• Officials identify Charlotte teen who drowned in Mountain Island Lake
• Eclipse viewers scramble to find scarce glasses
• WATCH: Vicki Graf's Tuesday forecast outlook
• Charges sought against those who toppled Durham Confederate statue

Cox Media Group