Jasper, Alabama Declared “Sanctuary City” for Confederate Flag

In 2017, Jasper, Alabama, made headlines when it was declared a “sanctuary city” for the Confederate flag. At a time when flags and monuments were being removed across the South, supporters in Jasper wanted to send a clear message: in their town, people who choose to fly the Confederate flag would be welcome to do so. Local resident Ray Corbin summed up the feeling for many, saying that flying the flag is a constitutional right no one can take from him.

Flying a Flag Is Free Speech

Corbin’s point is backed by long-standing law. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled many times that displaying a flag is a form of expression protected by the First Amendment. A private citizen has the right to fly the flag of their choice on their own home, truck or business. Whether someone loves the Confederate flag or dislikes it, the right to fly it belongs to everyone.

Jasper and Walker County

Jasper is the seat of Walker County in northwest Alabama, a region of hills, coal mines and small towns. During the war, the hill country of north Alabama was divided. Many families sent sons to fight in Alabama regiments, while some neighboring areas, like Winston County, were known for their Union sympathies. That mix of strong opinions and fierce independence is still part of the region’s character today.

Alabama’s Confederate Roots

Alabama left the Union on January 11, 1861, and the next month Montgomery became the first capital of the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as president on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in February 1861. Alabama went on to send roughly 100,000 men into Confederate service.

For many Alabamians, the Confederate flag is a link to those ancestors. A “sanctuary” declaration like Jasper’s was a way of saying that their heritage still has a home.

Read more about Alabama’s flags in Alabama’s Confederate Flag and Why We Will Never Ban the Confederate Flag Here, and browse our Confederate flag collection.

Source: Dead Confederates: Jasper, Alabama Declared “Sanctuary City” for Confederate Flag

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