Battle Over Giant American Flag Heats Up In Iredell County

IREDELL COUNTY, NC — A Statesville business is rallying community support as it pushes back on the city’s attempt to force it to take down its giant American flag. Camping World and Gander Outdoors has launched an online petition as part of its fight against a lawsuit filed by the City of Statesville seeking an injunction against the gigantic 40-foot by 80-foot flag erected at their Iredell County location overlooking Interstate 77.

Camping World displays the flag as a salute to veterans, it says. The lawsuit would impose a $50 a day fine retroactive to October 15, 2018.

The City of Statesville has an ordinance prohibiting flags larger than 8-feet by 12-feet, which is a law the CEO of Camping World would like to see change, WSOC reported.

Camping World began installing the oversized flags in 2014, and Statesville city leaders have been split on the issue in the past. In late 2017, the city council was deadlocked, before the mayor cast the deciding vote to adhere to existing regulations until city planners could study the issue, Statesville Record & Landmark reported.

“This is about more than just the flag,” Camping World said in a Facebook message Saturday. “This is about our Veterans, Military, and the men and women that have sacrificed for this great country. They are the reason we fly the flag and they are the reason we will NOT take it down!”

As of Monday, the online petition had more than 11,000 signatures. You can find more information about the petition here.

What do you think about the giant flag? Tell us what you think in the comment section.