Congresswoman Esty Statement on Confederate Flag Amendment

WASHINGTON, D.C. – July 9, 2015 – Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty (CT-5) released the following statement today regarding an amendment offered by House Republicans allowing the Confederate flag to continue to be displayed at national parks and cemeteries:

“Yesterday, civil rights leaders, community advocates, and victims’ families from Charleston came to Washington to rally support for our bipartisan legislation to expand background checks. This bipartisan bill, the Public Safety and Second Amendment Rights Protection Act of 2015, which I proudly introduced with my colleagues in March, would close the loopholes that allow dangerous individuals to purchase guns without a background check. However, just one day after these leaders and mourning families from Charleston were at the Capitol demanding change, House Republicans demand a vote to preserve display and sale of the Confederate flag.  This tactic is shameful and insensitive. This rebel flag carries a strong offensive association that is harmful and hurtful to many Americans. House Republicans should allow us to move on as a nation and remove this negative association from federal land.”

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