Virginia Museum of Fine Arts Flag Protest

Confederate Flag Protest
Protesters want confederate flag returned to a chapel owned by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

VIDEO HERE

Way ta go Little Sister!!

GB/PoP

I AM A FLAGGER

"I speak for that which has no voice. I relay the message of Honor, Dignity, Respect, and Heritage to those who never knew, to those who have forgotten, and to attempt to reach those who refuse to hear.

I travel many miles at my own expense, for which there is no reimbursement. My weapons are the 1956 Georgia Flag, Battle Flag of the Confederacy, and Truth. My enemies are liberals, politicians, NAACP, SCLC, GABEO, SPLC, Black Caucus, media, scalawags, and those who worship ignorance, historical revisionism and Political Correctness.

The former Governor has called me an Extremist. The former Speaker of the House has called me a Jackass. The learned scribes in the papers have called me a Neo-Confederate Peckerwood. By a popular radio talking head I have been called a Flaggot. I have read in the media that I do not exist, and that I am a racist bigot. I wear those names as badges of honor.

I have been hit with a rock. I have had to dodge a bottle thrown at me. I have been flipped off. I have been cursed. I have been called KKK and racist. I have been confronted. I have been threatened with arrest numerous times. I have been investigated by the GBI and I have had my civil rights trampled on almost every event I attend. But for all that, I get thousands of smiles, waves, and thumbs-up.

Jews have persecuted me. Christians have barred me from attending their 10 Commandments rally. Members of my own SCV camp have harassed and ignored my efforts. I have been called a Klansman at two jobs – one previous and my current one - and have been released from 2 other jobs for my beliefs and activities.

I do what I do not for fame or glory (although I have appeared in print and on TV) but for the silent majority. I speak for the mute to the timid majority against the loud heritage-hating minority. My aim is to supply an unexpected education, while following the teachings of my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ and leadership of my Confederate Forebears.

I was born and raised in Virginia. I claim that state as my home, and as a son of Virginia, would come to her aid if ever there was a need, but I reside in Georgia, in the county where my father was born – the same county where 3 of my Confederate ancestors are from as well. Ironically, one of my ancestors fought in Virginia near my place of birth, in Cobb’s Legion infantry, during the Peninsula Campaign. At times I feel I am pulling double duty, representing Georgia and Virginia. I do it to represent the soldiers from 150 years ago, to represent Southerners today, and to protect my children for tomorrow. I have even traveled the 650 miles each way to Flag a hotel in Williamsburg who covered some Confederate artwork to appease some DC black judges.

When I think that my ancestors marched hundreds of miles barefoot, without proper food or adequate supplies, only to then form lines and march into cannon and musket fire by overwhelming odds and against superior numbers and better equipment – I only pray that my small effort is enough “Thanks” for what they sacrificed for me.

The things I have mentioned are factual, and at times have been tough. I willingly accept the challenges and risks. I take pride in taking a stand for the Cause. And for this Cause, I call others to flock to the banner of our ancestors, but most will not. Most find it more comforting to let others go into battle in their stead rather than miss a Football game or a dog washing. Some are “Keyboard Commandos” and write a mean letter, but have no guts to stand with a Flag against tyranny. Some are not even registered to vote. I call to them, but I shall never see them, for they lack their ancestors’ convictions, and refuse to stand up for Honor."

Billy Bearden

Flagging the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts - Week 6

Flagging the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
Week 6 – Midweek Flagging – Wednesday 11-9-11 1:00pm - 5:00 pm

Beautiful day in the Capital of the Confederacy for flagging on the Boulevard! Va Flaggers Susan Hathaway, Grayson Jennings, Tripp Lewis, Fred Merridew , and Darryl Stearns were joined by a surprise flagger from Culpeper: Capt. S.B. Dunn, of the 14th VA Cavalry, Co H, - Rockbridge Dragoons – who brought orders from his commander to stand with us and see to our safety.

We held two positions today…with one group flagging directly in front of the Executive offices and original entrance, and another taking position at the main entrance. The pedestrian traffic was slow at first, but picked up as the evening approached. We had many good conversations, explaining why we were out and what the VMFA had done. As usual, most people were unaware of the situation and many promised to call the VMFA and let them know they believe the flags should go back up. We gave out approx. 30 flyers, and, once again, Confederate flags were seen on the Boulevard by hundreds of pedestrians and passers by!

This week has seen a sharp increase in pressure and publicity. Monday, the Times-Dispatch published our editorial, which has gotten the attention of many people throughout the area. 6 weeks of flagging has many people stopping to see what is going on and why we are out there so often, and certainly has let the VMFA know that we are not going away!

We need to keep up the pressure – from ALL sides! Join us Saturday…we will be flagging from 11-3…. Make phone calls to the VMFA: (804) 340-1400… Tell them you want to talk to someone about getting the Confederate flags put back on the Pelham Chapel… Write the director of the VMFA, the Governor, and the Mayor of Richmond… Write an editorial to your local paper…and SPREAD THE WORD…share this album, email your SCV or UDC friends, talk about it at meetings. Momentum is on our side RIGHT NOW and we need to strike while the iron is HOT!

Today's Flagging 11/8/11 Georgia!!

Today's Flagging began at approx 2:17pm on the Lowell Road gate - Carroll County side.

I arrived first and the lay of the land was very simple, a wide 2 lane road with plenty of parking alongside of the road and excellent weather.

Cars could only enter and exit in one direction, as Lowell Road dead ends 100 yards from the gate , so it was a standard fish in a barrel type scenario

Insider info said this gate was the most used by employees, and shift workers begin leaving at 2:30pm.

I began by setting up 2 flag displays that covered an additional 300 yards, Then I set up shop directly across from the gate with my 6X9 Battleflag on a 12 foot pole. I wore my Confederate Corporals uniform but had no weapons, just haversack and canteen.

Within 5 minutes of my arrival, I spoke with 2 people who pulled over and asked what was going on. I just started by asking them about their knowledge of Yellow Dirt, and both nodded and pointed back towards the big chimney and said 'is it about the flags?' I said yessir.

By 2:35, James and Pam Tolbert pulled up to join me. This was their first ever Flagging, so I set them up with a pole each, Miss Pam had brought a flag to use, and I loaned James my 4X4 ANVCBF I gave them a few tips on what to do , what to expect and how to respond. It would turn out for them the best 1st Flagging I have ever saw.

I had 2 more encounters with folks stopping and asking what was going on, and I said the same thing as before, but these people were not aware of the situation inside their place of work, but they left with a whole new outlook, and were very supportive of our efforts.

Just before 3pm, Russ Massa of the Heard Citizen newsmedia appeared. Miss Pam yelled to him "youre one of us!" and he stated NO he was a reporter. I told Miss Pam he probably wouldn't hold a flag with us, but would take our picture of us with a flag.

As he began interviewing us, a Carroll County Deputy pulled up. I thought I had the drill down, I just knew why he was there and I began my canned responses on right of ways and nothing sinister going on, but it turns out that he was just patroling the area and thought a few folks sporting flags on the side of the road looked unusual, so he just stopped to check us out.

The reporter even asked the Deputy a few questions.

Passersby are about 95% positive/friendly. Miss Pam makes sure we are aware of the ones who dont acknowledge her cheery waves and big warm smile. She later admits she really enjoyed doing this, James confesses that Flagging was easy.

Finally the interviews had been made, the Sheriffs deputy departs and it is just us 4 Flaggers to face the sporadic release of Plant Wansley workers. For a few hours Ga Power security had a truck park down near a treeline inside the gate to watch us. Later inside sources inform us that the chief of security Tammy Lovvorn and another person were glued to TV monitors tuned to "The Flagger Show" but they never came out to see us.

Word also was given that shortly after 3ish, their switchboard lit up like a Christrmas Tree light show. Perhaps folks were curious as to our presence? Wonder what was said...

Pictures were taken, stories swapped, and many a person waved, thumbs upped us,

some either yelled 'Yahoo' or 'The South is gonna rise again", and more than a few were spotted snapping camera phone pix of us.

While Jasper is quite a ways off, Steve relayed to us a man in San Diego California said he was flying a CBF in support there for our actions today. Bi-Costal Flagging - so it turned out to be a Multistate Flagging afterall!

Special thanks go out today for Steven Monk and his San Diego Amigo for the Long Distance dedication, and to our new up and coming star - Mrs Susan Hathaway in Virginia, who is the Flagger tech support who posts instantly for Flaggers everywhere to see what info I send her (when she is not out Flagging herself in the Old Dominion) Also thanks to Russ Massa of the Heard Citizen for keeping the story hot, and to Pam and James Tolbert for being new Flagger recruits!

Anyone else want to Flag Wansley - This IS THE WEEK TO DO SO!

Till next time

Billy Bearden

Confederate Monument - 100th Anniversary

Brunswick County Lawrenceville, VA

Many Photos HERE