A man who has displayed his Confederate flag off of his balcony for several years has drawn the ire of some neighbors, who feel it should be taken down. Vikki Vargas reports for the NBC4 News at 5 and 6 p.m. on June 29, 2015.
A Confederate flag flying in a Lake Forest community has some neighbors up in arms, especially as the national conversation heats up about its propriety.
There are many flags flying throughout the Pheasant Creek condominium complex, but the one next to David Wood's balcony stands out.
"It's a symbol of racism in my view. It should come down," said neighbor Willie Gillian. He said it reminds him of slavery and the Confederacy.
Gillian grew up in Mississippi, and lived through segregation. He said seeing the stars and stripes reminds him of then, and what is still happening in other communities.
"In light of what happened, in the church that guy had a Confederate flag," he said, referencing the devastating mass shooting at a Charleston, South Carolina church. "I think he should take it down."
Accused mass murderer Dylann Roof was seen posing with the Confederate flag. There are calls to remove the flag from South Carolina's state capitol.
Wood, the flag’s owner, spoke to NBC4 off-camera, and said it’s one of many he flies outside his home, including the Texas state flag and another with the Star of David.
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In his words "It's an American flag. I don't know what the problem is."
Wood said he's flown it for six years, never received a complaint and considers it history.
And 2,500 miles away from the debate in Charleston, residents aren't sure they have a right to force a neighbor to remove his flag.
"I respect the right to do it, I just think it's a bad move regarding community peace, so to speak," said Pheasant Creek resident Tim Anderson.
A copy of the homeowners rules and regulations said balconies are common areas. Specifically, the rules say no laundry, no wet swimsuits and no towels, but nothing about flags.
"This is the United States of America. It's not like it's a swastika sticker or a sign saying white supremacy," said neighbor Eric Hauczinger. "If the association allows it, who am I to say?"
The property management company did tell NBC4 that it would look into the issue, but declined to provide specifics.
