A flag has been removed from sale in a West Park antiques shop in Harrogate after a woman complained.
The flag was hanging near the back of 27 West Park Antiques. It has now been taken down and the owner has apologised for causing offence.
Tim Ward, Owner of 27 West Park Antiques said:
“The flag was bought along with a job lot of American state flags which came from a country and western club that closed down. It was bought from a car boot sale so no offence was intended and the flag has been taken down.”
The complaint was made by Kira Dyer who lives in York and was in Harrogate on a shopping trip with friends. Ms Dyer approached staff at 27 West Park Antiques to complain, before tweeting about it yesterday evening.
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Ms Dyer said:
“I have no problem with them selling the flag, I just feel that to display it in such a way is inconsiderate of its racist heritage and highly offensive. I understand a store of its nature will have items of controversy but there is a big difference between its display on a shelf along with other items and it being flown mid store.”
The confederate flag is seen as a hate symbol. In the early 1860s, 11 southern states withdrew themselves from the US to continue being part of the slave trade. The withdrawal formed the Confederate States of America and the American Civil War followed soon after.
Mr Ward said his antiques shop generally researches the historical context of what is being brought in and rarely receives complaints. However, he apologised for displaying the Confederate flag.