Tonia Whitfield and Michael Carney celebrate the Confederate flag Saturday in front of the county courthouse.

By Josh Prewitt

For the FCT

Saturday the Our Southern Heritage rally was held in downtown Russellville for all supporters to gather together and express their southern pride and support of the Confederate flag.

Tonia Whitfield spoke on why the flag means so much to her and her family.

“We went to Jack’s this morning … with our Confederate flag flying high on our car, and everyone was clapping and cheering for us. The people who understand the flag and the meaning behind it know how much it means to the South,” Whitfield said.

The use of the Confederate flag has continued under philosophical, political, cultural and racial controversy in the United States.

“I’m white, and people call me racist. I’m going to stand up for my history, and my kids are going to be there with me to step up for our history,” Whitfield added.

Michael Carney, who organized the rally, shared his concerns, how much history meant to him and his family and why the Confederate flag needs to keep flying.

“Even though we’re two different colors, we’re the same child of God,” he said. “I’m going to fight and sacrifice for my love of our heritage. The flag needs to stay up forever because it’s what shows a piece of history and how it has been plagued on us good Southern folks and the memories of fine Confederate soldiers that fought under the flag … In no way at all does the Confederate flag represent hate or violence.”