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Confederate Flag Sparks Anger Among SC Neighbors

By Stephanie Rabiner, Esq. on September 27, 2011 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

In South Carolina, the Confederate flag remains a hotly contested symbol of this nation's past. But in one historically black neighborhood, it continues to be an integral part of the present.

Residents of Summerville are currently embroiled in a year-long battle over Annie Chambers Caddell's Confederate flag. The white woman moved to the neighborhood last year, angering residents with the flag's display.

Now her neighbors have built 8-foot high fences, and she's erected a flagpole.

Caddell's home became the site of a 100-person protest late last year. Most marched and sang civil rights songs, reports the Associated Press. Some waved Confederate flags.

Eventually, the community decided to erect fences on either side of Caddell's home. If someone wanted to see her flag, they'd have to stand directly in front of the home.

But this did not end the South Carolina Confederate flag debate. Instead, Annie Chambers Caddell installed a flagpole, reports NBC News. She sees the flag as a tribute to her heritage, not racism.

The town council has refused to get involved, and for legally sound reasons.

Despite popular opinion, Caddell has a First Amendment right to fly her Confederate flag. She must merely comply with any ordinances limiting the flag's size or that of the flagpole.

Neighbors also have the right to protest. And build fences. Again, their actions are merely subject to reasonable limitations and zoning codes.

So until the two sides come to an agreement, the South Carolina Confederate flag will continue to be at issue in the neighborhood. There appear to be few (if any) other options.

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