Says symbols of racism, white supremacy, and treason have no place in Ohio
COLUMBUS—While Ohioans were sleeping, House Democratic lawmakers were offering two amendments on the House floor late Thursday and early Friday that would have prohibited the sale, display, possession or distribution of Confederate memorabilia at county and independent fairs, following a similar rule instituted by the Ohio State Fair in 2015. The motions came during floor debate on House Bill 665, which made several other changes to laws on local and county fairs.
The U.S. Marines, U.S. Navy and NASCAR recently announced similar bans on Confederate memorabilia. Republicans rejected the amendments largely along party lines, voting instead to protect the sale of the Confederate flag.
“As a veteran, I am disgusted by the presence of the Confederate flag here in Ohio,” said Rep. Casey Weinstein (D-Hudson). “It dishonors the 31,000 brave Ohio soldiers who gave their lives fighting against, and no Ohioan should ever feel the pain it causes.”
The amendments come amid continued demonstrations in dozens of cities and towns across Ohio where protesters have called for an end to police brutality, white supremacy and racism in the United States following the police-involved death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
A second Democratic amendment would have cut state funding to county and independent fairs who allow the sale of Confederate memorabilia. Republicans tabled that amendment as well.
House Bill 665 passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration.
