Current:Home > NewsAtlanta man arrested after driving nearly 3 hours to take down Confederate flag in SC: Officials -VitalWealth Strategies
Atlanta man arrested after driving nearly 3 hours to take down Confederate flag in SC: Officials
View
Date:2025-04-26 15:14:41
An Atlanta man is facing a trespassing charge after authorities said he drove nearly three hours to South Carolina to vandalize a Confederate battle flag.
The incident happened on Saturday in Spartanburg, South Carolina, about 33 miles northeast of Greenville, according to a document filed by the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office.
Someone called the sheriff’s office that day about trespassing on Interstate 85 southbound at the 76 mile marker, the document reads. A deputy arrived and spoke to a witness who said the 23-year-old man climbed a fence and tried to lower a Confederate flag.
The deputy spoke to the man, who admitted he climbed the fence because he does not agree with the Confederate flag.
The deputy said the man also had tools such as a Dremel and drill bits.
The deputy wrote there are "no trespassing" signs along the fence that the man climbed over, adding that a day before the flag incident, someone vandalized the same Confederate flag.
When the deputy asked the man if he had been on the property that Friday night, he said he had not. He did, however, admit to driving from Atlanta to Spartanburg County to lower the flag.
“Daniel was very upfront and cooperative during questioning,” the deputy wrote.
The man was arrested, taken to jail and issued a ticket for trespassing.
“The tools and Daniels cell phone were seized for evidence purposes for both the trespassing and vandalism,” the deputy wrote.
The flag was originally erected by the Sons of Confederate Veterans in 2022, according to television station Fox 5 Atlanta. The organization's Spartanburg chapter owns the property.
According to a spokesperson for the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, the flag the man tried to take down is the Confederate battle flag.
The meaning of the Confederate flag
The Confederate flag was flown during the Civil War when the following states separated themselves from the nation in the defense of slavery: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Today, while the flag represents racism to some Americans, others recognize it as a sign of their heritage.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her atsdmartin@usatoday.com.
veryGood! (367)
Related
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Gaudreau brothers to be honored by family, friends and their grieving hockey teammates at funeral
- 2024 Halloween costume ideas: Beetlejuice, Raygun, Cowboys Cheerleaders and more
- Shailene Woodley Shares Outlook on Love 2 Years After Aaron Rodgers Breakup
- The FTC says 'gamified' online job scams by WhatsApp and text on the rise. What to know.
- Atlanta Falcons wear T-shirts honoring school shooting victims before season opener
- Red Lobster launches Cheddar Bay 2024 campaign; free Red Lobster for 4 years up for grabs
- Extra private school voucher funding gets initial OK from North Carolina Senate
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- ‘I’m living a lie': On the streets of a Colorado city, pregnant migrants struggle to survive
Ranking
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- Caleb Williams has forgettable NFL debut with Chicago Bears – except for the end result
- MLB power rankings: Braves and Mets to sprint for playoff lives in NL wild card race
- Judge orders psychological evaluation for white homeowner who shot Ralph Yarl
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- What to know about the video showing Tyre Nichols’ fatal beating by Memphis police officers
- Emily Blunt and John Krasinski's Daughters Hazel, 10, and Violet, 7, Make Rare Appearance at US Open
- Why seaweed is one of the best foods you can eat when managing your weight
Recommendation
Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
2025 Hyundai Tucson adds comfort, safety features for babies and pet passengers
Two workers die after being trapped inside a South Dakota farm silo
The Bachelorette’s Jenn Tran Reunites With Jonathon Johnson After Devin Strader Breakup
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
Powerball winning numbers for September 7: Jackpot climbs to $112 million
Google antitrust trial over online advertising set to begin
Ex-employees of Titanic submersible’s owner to testify before Coast Guard panel