A display of Confederate items from the Civil War, including the controversial Confederate battle flag, will still be allowed to be displayed at a Brevard County library.
For nearly a decade, the local camp of the Confederate Sons Association has put this display up at the Central Brevard Library, in Cocoa. It's on display every April as a part of Confederate History Month.
But this year, two NAACP groups complained to the County Commission, saying they have gotten about the Confederate items being displayed in a public setting.
Both sides made their case to the commission Tuesday.
"We're simply telling our story, the Confederate side of the war between the states," said Mitch Morgan, with the Confederate Sons Association of Florida. "There's really nothing in the display besides a lot of uniforms, materials, a few books that we like, and a picture of — 'Oh, gosh!' — the Confederate flag."
"My ancestors were slaves, and so whenever I see any kind of images that evoke that, of course I'm concerned, and it bothers me," said William Gary, president of the NAACP's North Brevard chapter.
The County Commission decided to not change its policy, allowing local groups to place items in display cases at local libraries. Commissioners said doing otherwise would amount to censorship, but the Confederate Sons Association said it would work with NAACP leaders about their concerns.