The controversial display of a Confederate flag at a Long Island St. Patrick’s Day Parade Sunday has sparked outrage, drawing apologies and promises of change from local organizers.
The flag, which was flown from a truck during a parade in the community of Bayport-Blue Point, caused an immediate uproar from many in the crowd as soon as they took notice.
Bayport-Blue Point Chamber of Commerce president Karl Auwaerter said that the parade committee was caught off guard by the display and that it was not planned for or supposed to be a part of the ceremonies.
“We deeply regret the disturbing display that occurred during this year’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade,” he told Newsday. “What happened has never happened before, and we were unprepared.”
Auwaerter admitted that the parade committee didn’t have a protocol in place for handling such an incident, however, once the flag was brought to their attention, organizers quickly worked to remove the flag from the truck, he said.
The Confederate flag was hung from a vehicle that was behind a truck from The Fish Store, a local seafood market and restaurant.
In response to the backlash, the restaurant released a statement on social media that they “in no way, shape, or form support this flag or its meaning” and offered their apologies for any “misunderstanding.”
Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne, who marched in the parade, was unaware of the flag until the next day.
“I was not only surprised to hear this happened, but I wouldn’t support anything that divides our county,” Thorne told Newsday. “There’s no room for hate in our county,” he added.
The St. Paddy’s parade incident comes just days after two Long Island volunteer fire departments — Brookhaven and Levittown — agreed to settle claims of unlawful discrimination, undergo human rights training, and stop displaying Confederate symbols on their vehicles and equipment.
The settlements came after years of complaints about discriminatory actions by the pair of fire departments, including allegations that they displayed Confederate flags and included racially insensitive images on fire trucks and uniforms.
The fire departments also agreed to pay $28,000 in fines and settle additional claims related to “unlawful inquiries” about applicants’ national origin, religion, and if they had a criminal record.
Both departments will now remain under the review of the state’s Human Rights Division for the next three years.
New York’s Human Rights Division deemed the Confederate flag a symbol of hate and racism — adding that its presence in public institutions like fire departments undermines public trust and damages community relations.
