The Confederate Battle Flag was used by many (but not all) Confederate military units during the War for Southern Independence (1861-1865). It was the Confederate soldiers’ flag, and they alone had the right to interpret its meaning.
When the War was over, the Confederate soldiers became Confederate veterans and formed an organization known as the United Confederate Veterans. The Confederate Battle Flag was still their flag, and they alone had the right to interpret its meaning.
In 1896, many of the Confederate veterans were old, ill, and dying off so the Sons of Confederate Veterans was formed as the successor organization to the United Confederate Veterans. The legacy and authority of the United Confederate Veterans was transferred to them. Since April 25, 1906 the Confederate Battle Flag has been the flag of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. They alone have the right to interpret its meaning. They have interpreted its meaning, and explained repeatedly that meaning – and it is not hatred, nor is it bigotry.
No group preaching hatred, bigotry, or the supremacy of any ethnic group has a right to use the Confederate Battle Flag. All such uses are unauthorized.
Anyone other than the Sons of Confederate Veterans who uses or attempts to define the Confederate Battle Flag does so on grounds at best shaky, and any interpretation so given is questionable.
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