A group of Confederate flag wavers has been indicted on charges of making terroristic threats.
The group of 15 people allegedly drove their pickup trucks past a birthday party in the suburbs of Atlanta while waving the flags and displaying weapons.
The group that did this is part of an organization called “Respect the Flag”, and prosecutors have said that they have violated the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.
The members of the group could face up to 20 years in prison if they are convicted in court.
The birthday party that they drove past was hosted by Melissa Alford. Many guests at the birthday party were African Americans. Alford says that the group was making threats toward people at the party.
Alford said, “They used the N-word and said they were going to kill people on my property.”
The members of the Respect the Flag organization have a different story. They claim that people at the party were throwing rocks at them and that they did not initiate the confrontation.
The leader of the Respect the Flag organization, Levi Bush, declined to comment on the situation. It is unclear if members of the group have legal representation.
The indictment declares Respect the Flag to be a “criminal street gang”, and the charges state that they made threats of “committing a crime of violence”. They are also accused of “terrorizing individuals with reckless disregard”.
Prosecutor Brian Fortner refused to comment on the situation, only saying that it would be settled in court.
“It would be inappropriate for us to get into the facts and details of the case. I think that’s better reserved for the courtroom,” he said.
Meanwhile, members of the community are pleased that the court is pursuing this case, as many people are sick of the racist and violent behavior of the group.
Leader of the Southern Poverty Law Center Morris Dees said, “These cowards chose unarmed African-Americans enjoying a peaceful birthday party to vent their violent racist hatred. This is reminiscent of the Ku Klux Klan. (They’re) modern-day night-riders terrorizing African-Americans in the name of Southern heritage.”
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