Florida held a rally in defense of the Confederation flag

In the city of Ocala, Florida, thousands of people staged a rally in defense of the Confederation flag.

13-kilometer column consisted of cars and motorcycles, which were installed hundreds of flags. According to the police, up to 4,5 thousand people took part in the action.

The organizers of the race insist that the flag of the Confederation is not a symbol of violence and racism, on the contrary, is used as a sign of respect for the ancestors.

Opponents, in turn, argue that the flag of the Confederates is associated with racism, because during the Civil War was used by the army of southerners who advocated the preservation of slavery.

Last week in South Carolina from the local capitol building the Confederate flag was lowered.

Debate around the flag flared up after shooting in charlestonwhere nine parishioners were shot dead in an African American church. The accused in this attack previously posed in photos with the flag of the Confederates, and the police claimed that the crime was committed on the basis of hatred.