Should The Confederate Flag Fly Along Maryland Highways?

A Confederate flag flying on the side of a Maryland highway is raising questions in the community about jurisdiction, the First Amendment and a racially charged historical symbol that has been thrust into the national spotlight recently.

WTOP has the story from Mechanicsville, Maryland, where Jonathan Beasely has planted an old Confederate battle flag on Md. Rt. 234 about 40 yards behind a large sign that says "St. Mary’s County Welcomes You," clearly visible from the road as drivers cross into the county.

There were initially no complaints, St. Mary’s County Commissioner John O’Connor told WTOP, until someone called into a local radio station. Because the flag is on private property, O'Connor told WTOP, he can't force anyone to take it down.

"It’s not about like, dislike, heritage or hatred on something like this,” he told WTOP. “It’s about the Constitution and the First Amendment. It doesn’t matter what flag that person is flying. That’s private property and they have every right to fly whatever flag they may want to fly.”

Beasely is flying the flag on Budds Creek Motocross Park property, which he owns, and said nobody usually complains because most people don't even recognize it as a Confederate symbol.

But now, he's having trouble getting police to work security for his music festival that he holds on Park grounds.

“Nobody ever said a word because nobody knows what it is, except the people who are in the Sons of Confederate Veterans or knowledgeable with the flag,” Beasley told WTOP.

• Read the full story here.

It's hardly the first time a Confederate symbol has caused consternation in Maryland. The state did away with confederate flags on license plates last year, and Rockville officials voted to remove a Confederate monument from outside of the old courthouse grounds, although the statue has yet to be relocated.

Do you think Beasley should be able to keep his flag up? Tell us in the comments below.

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