Virginia Flaggers raise Confederate flag off I-95 in Stafford

This flag rises above the tree line and is visible to motorists.

June 2, 2014; 9:40 AM • by Ross Catrow

Update #3 — June 2, 2014; 9:40 AM

The Virginia Flaggers have hoisted a second Confederate battle flag over I-95, this one in Stafford, VA. Last year, the group caused controversy by raising a similar flag in Chesterfield County (see below).

From NBC 12:

The second flag is both taller and bigger than the first, standing 80 feet high, well above the tree line, and measuring 20 by 30 feet in size.

Virginia Flaggers said they’d like to raise more flags and “have several other projects in various stages of development.”

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Update #2 — September 30, 2013; 6:16 AM

On Saturday, the Virginia Flaggers hoisted their 15’ x 15’ Confederate flag off I-95 in Chesterfield County as hundreds of supporters looked on.

While the flag is quite large, it is difficult to see from the highway: “tall trees along the road’s shoulder make the flag difficult to see for northbound traffic and, with the Old Bermuda Hundred overpass, nearly impossible for southbound.”

Jimmy Jones of the Virginia Flaggers wrote on they group’s website that the group isn’t trying to re-fight battles of the past.

“Our battles are all defensive…in defense of the honor and good name of our ancestors, and against actions taken to dishonor them and desecrate their monuments and memorials.”

LEST WE FORGET! pic.twitter.com/CAjcKQBLn0— Susan Hathaway (@VaFlagger) September 28, 2013

Local group United RVA has countered the newly raised Confederate battle flag by hoisting a large American flag at a construction site in Richmond.

Flying high. #UnitedRVA pic.twitter.com/ExZVkLAdmb— UnitedRVA (@united_rva) September 28, 2013

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Update #1 — September 20, 2013; 10:18 AM

The Virginia Flaggers have unveiled the 15’x15’ Confederate Battle Flag that the group will hoist on September 28th on I-95 (see below).

Virginia Flaggers member Susan Hathaway tweeted this image of the unfurled flag on the steps of the Virginia Capitol:

Unveiling the I-95 RVA flag at the Virginia State Capitol. Details to follow… pic.twitter.com/ynImhZ9Pbc— Susan Hathaway (@VaFlagger) September 19, 2013

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Original — August 06, 2013

This past weekend, the Virginia Flaggers–the same folks that you’ll see outside the VMFA with Confederate flags most days–have leased a “property adjacent to Interstate 95, just South of Richmond, and will be erecting a 50’ pole, on which a 10 x15 Confederate Battle Flag will fly 24/7, 365 days of the year.”

In their words:

The flag will serve to welcome visitors and commuters to Richmond, and remind them of our honorable Confederate history and heritage.

The plan has sparked understandable controversy, and news magazine Mother Jones has picked up the story today, landing Richmond some embarrassing national attention.