State lawmakers in Ohio nixed a proposal to ban the Confederate flag at county fairs, citing First Amendment concerns.
An amendment to a House bill was proposed by a Democratic lawmaker on Wednesday that sought to ban the sale and display of the Confederate flag at Ohio’s county and independent fairs as the symbol continues to stir public discomfort. The Ohio State Fair banned the sale of the flag in 2015.
“Ohio was never part of the confederacy at all,” said Rep. Juanita Brent, who proposed the amendment and suggested the flag should be placed in a museum. “So, we’re holding onto a flag that was never a part of our state’s history.”
Republicans, however, rejected the proposal over fears that banning it would infringe on free expression.
“I would never fly the Confederate flag,” Rep. Kyle Koehler said. “However, “I believe this amendment in this bill will jeopardize this bill, which was set up to help the children in the state of Ohio.”
The majority of Republicans voted to table the amendment while Democratic members voted to adopt it.
Also on Wednesday, NASCAR announced it would no longer allow Confederate flags at races.
