WALTON COUNTY, Fla. – The Confederate flag was still flying Tuesday morning over a Panhandle county's courthouse, where officials at a County Commission meeting voted on whether to keep the divisive symbol up.
Walton County officials said they ordered a new Confederate flag on Tuesday and could be replacing the old one as early as Wednesday.
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The Confederate battle flag has flown over the county courthouse grounds since 1964, when the Civil Rights Act was passed.
Dozens turned out for Tuesday's commission meeting, debating whether it should come down
"The Confederate battle flag symbolizes the desire to keep my people in bondage," said Tyrone Broadus, who wants the flag removed.
"We need to honor our ancestors. Can't nobody say it's race," said Casey Nelson, who is a flag supporter.
Ultimately, the county commission decided that the Confederate battle flag should come down, but another Confederate symbol will go up
Commissioner Sara Commander suggested replacing the flag with the original "stars and bars" as a compromise.
"I have to try to come to a decision that will benefit everybody," Commander said.
The motion passed 4-0.
Steve Uhlfelder, whose son has been trying to get the flag down for 13 years, said it was a cop-out.
A proposal to remove the flag entirely got little support from the commission.