State Democratic Women’s Club president supports removal of Confederate flag

The Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, Inc.’s President, Dr. Maureen McKenna, announced today that the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida supports the Escambia County Commission’s removal of the Confederate battle flag at the Pensacola Bay Center.

Dr. McKenna stated, “The Confederate battle flag serves as a painful reminder of a blood stained time in our country’s history full of oppression and division.”

After an emotional discussion by the Board of County Commissioners, the Board voted 4-1 to remove not only the Confederate battle flag, but also the Spanish, French and British flags, leaving the United States flag as the only flag to fly over the Pensacola Bay Center.

Democratic Women’s Club of Escambia County’s President, Dianne Krumel, said, “It divides Escambia County. The flag is another thorn in the side of Escambia County.”

Ms. Krumel went on to tell the Board of County Commissioners that she grew up in Escambia County and remembers when Escambia High changed its team name from “Rebels” to “Gators.” Students from the University of West Florida collected more than 175 signatures from the community that was presented to the County Commissioners supporting the removal of the Confederate battle flag. Dozens of residents also addressed the Board at the County Commission meeting Thursday night.

President McKenna concluded, “It is sad that we still have to face the issues of slavery and civil rights injustice in today’s times.”

For more information about the Democratic Women’s Club of Escambia County, please visit the Club’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Esc.Co.DWC. For more information about the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, Inc, please visit our website online at http://www.dwcf.org/.