Sons of Confederate Veterans file lawsuit against Lexington

By: Erin Barnett | WSLS
Published: January 12, 2012

LEXINGTON, VA --

The Sons of Confederate Veterans usually march with flags in their hands, but Thursday it was a lawsuit.

The SCV filed suit in Federal Court in Roanoke, just one day before Lee-Jackson Day.

"Free speech is free speech, and that's why we are here," said Brandon Dorsey, Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Back in September, Lexington's City Council passed an ordinance which prohibits any flags other than city, state and U.S. flags from being flown from city flagpoles.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans says the ordinance is in violation of their 1st and 14th amendments, as well as a 1993 Federal Court Order.

Bob Lera, Vice Mayor of Lexington, says the lawsuit comes as no surprise.

"We've seen it coming," said Lera. As of Thursday afternoon, he said the city's attorney did not have a copy of the lawsuit.

Members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans still plan to stand under the flag poles in downtown Lexington, with flags in their hands, during the Lee-Jackson Day event on Friday.