A Mississippi town rallied Saturday after its mayor said he was forced to remove a Christian flag following the threat of a $500,000 lawsuit by an atheist organization, WREG reported.
AT 5: Mississippi town fights back after being forced to remove Christian flag. @3onyourside pic.twitter.com/G7SGcu0EIC
— Social Distancing (@NinaHarrelsonTV) February 4, 2017
More than 100 supporters united at the Veterans Memorial Park in Rienzi, where the group waved Christian flags – a red cross on a blue background in the upper left corner of an all-white base.
"The reason our nation has been headed to hell in a handbasket is because Bible-believing people have laid down & played dead" @3onyourside pic.twitter.com/abemXHtRre
— Social Distancing (@NinaHarrelsonTV) February 4, 2017
“We’re gonna fly that flag again,” he said, “and I’m hoping it’s not going to be long” before it happens.
Williams said he removed the Christian flag after receiving a letter from the Freedom from Religion Foundation that stated a $500,000 lawsuit could be filed against him if the town did not remove the flag.
Kevin Nelms, organizer of a rally in support of the return of the Christian flag to the veterans memorial at Rienzi Town Hall, speaks to a large crowd at the rally on Saturday.
“I’m telling you folks I’m no preacher. But it’s going to get worse; can I get an Amen? It’s going to get worse, but we cannot bow down. We can’t lay down if we stand up till our death, that’s what we need to do,” said event organizer Kevin Nelms, according to WCBI. “There just comes a point in time when you’ve got to be politically incorrect and take a stand,” said Nelms.
Rienzi Mayor Walter Williams: "You can bet your bottom dollar, that flag is gonna fly again." @3onyourside pic.twitter.com/IjfNN88JgP
— Social Distancing (@NinaHarrelsonTV) February 4, 2017
During the rally, supporters returned a Christian flag to the flagpole where it once flew.
"We're not gonna let other people or a foundation… tell us that we can't fly our flag!" #FlagFight https://t.co/cPteQHA4He @3onyourside
— Social Distancing (@NinaHarrelsonTV) February 5, 2017
“As a proud American, but No. 1 as a proud Christian, I came today to stand up for the Lord and stand up for our freedom,” said Susan Woodruff.
Williams said the town has hired an attorney and will discuss its next steps regarding the flag at a meeting scheduled for Feb. 7.
