Across the street from Black Lives Matter protesters

A group of people stand peacefully across the street from the Appomattox Courthouse Theatre during Sunday’s Black Lives Matter protest.

 Charles Conrad/Times Virginian

(Editor's note: This piece is a small portion of a larger article in the Times Virginian newspaper, which covers various angles of the event.)

Across the street from the Black Lives Matter protesters Sunday outside the Appomattox Courthouse building on Court Street in Appomattox, a small group of men stood peacefully in the parking lot of the Appomattox County School Administration Building. Others stood by the Appomattox County veteran’s monument that stands in front of the Courthouse Theatre. Several of the men said they were there on their own accord to ensure there was no damage done to the monument.

One man in attendance who stayed outside the protest ground, Adam Clifton, voiced his opinion on current national events in light of Floyd’s death while defending his own pride in his heritage.

“What happened with the gentleman in Minnesota was a terrible thing, don’t get me wrong,” Clifton said. “That police officer’s in jail right now, and that’s where he needs to be. But, these violent protests and looting going on throughout this country is not right; it’s not gonna solve anything. Our governor removing our Confederate war heroes’ statues, that’s not the right thing to do.”

“Violence is not the answer,” he continued. “There’s never been more of a time where our country should be coming together and praying for the Lord’s guidance and peace to come together and fight the real evils that are out there — it’s not race, we need to come together. I saw friends on the other side (of the street) out here today in Appomattox and spoke with them before the protest.”

Clifton disagrees with the perception of the Confederate flag being viewed as simply a symbol of racism.

“The Confederate flag, to me, means a symbol of our Southern heritage and not hate. The Civil War was fought for numerous reasons. I think a lot of what they’re teaching in public schools nowadays sheds a bad light on the Confederate flag. Maybe take it upon yourself to research the true history of the Civil War.”

Clifton said he brought a Confederate flag to wear around his cap, but an Appomattox police officer told him that he could not display it near the protest. Clifton wondered why he could not wear a symbol of his heritage while others openly displayed their heritage with signage.

Appomattox County Sheriff’s Office Major Robby Richardson said he made the decision regarding the flag because he feared it would incite trouble, and that the flag could be displayed further away at Courtland Festival Park instead.

There’s more to this story in the current issue of the Times Virginian newspaper. Pick up a copy or subscribe at www.timesvirginian.com/subscriber_services to view the full article in the e-edition version.

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