WICHITA — Wichita Park Board members have voted to keep the Confederate flag from flying at Veterans Memorial Park.
The Wichita Eagle reports that Mayor Jeff Longwell ordered the flag removed in July after acknowledging community feedback to a June shooting in a Charleston, South Carolina, church. The accused shooter in that incident posted photos with the flag on social media.
The Park Board on Monday recommended the flag be replaced with the Kansas flag. They also approved a Reconciliation Memorial to address the diverse sides of the Civil War.
Board members say the conference-room meeting was standing room only. They say there was heated debate between those on both sides of the issue.
The Confederate flag had been in the park near downtown since 1976.
