Confederate group won’t take down rebel flag along highway

LEXINGTON, Va. – Despite the threat of fines, a pro-Confederate group in Virginia is refusing to take down a large rebel flag.

News outlets report that Rockbridge County officials said the 82-foot-tall flagpole had to be removed by Monday evening because it’s too close to a public highway.

After the deadline passed, Grayson Jennings of the Virginia Flaggers issued a statement that flag is staying put.

Officials have threatened fines of $200 a day for the first 10 days of the violation, and $500 a day after that, for a maximum of $5,000.

Jennings says the group will apply for a permit to place the flagpole further back, but in the meantime, supporters have volunteered to pay whatever fines are incurred.

The flag has been flying along U.S. Route 60 since Jan. 14.