| City Councilman & Reverend Al Dowdell desecrates graves in Pine Hill cemetery Auburn, Alabama |
This article was published
Thursday April 23, 2009 in
the Opelika Auburn News
paper:
Thursday April 23, 2009 in
the Opelika Auburn News
paper:
Katie Stallcup
Staff writer
Published: April 23, 2009
Mary Norman was shocked Thursday afternoon when Auburn Councilman Arthur L. Dowdell pulled up a Confederate flag placed
on her great-grandfather’s grave and snapped it in half, she said.
Dowdell, who denies snapping the flag, said Thursday he was picking up his daughter from Auburn Junior High School near the
cemetery when several people told him they “had a problem” with the flags.
He drove to the cemetery and started pulling up flags, he said.
“It’s offensive to me,” he said. “To me, it represents the Ku Klux Klan and racism.”
The United Daughters of the Confederacy placed the flags earlier this week, as they have done for 50 years, in preparation for a
celebration Sunday of Confederate Memorial Day, Norman said.
Staff writer
Published: April 23, 2009
Mary Norman was shocked Thursday afternoon when Auburn Councilman Arthur L. Dowdell pulled up a Confederate flag placed
on her great-grandfather’s grave and snapped it in half, she said.
Dowdell, who denies snapping the flag, said Thursday he was picking up his daughter from Auburn Junior High School near the
cemetery when several people told him they “had a problem” with the flags.
He drove to the cemetery and started pulling up flags, he said.
“It’s offensive to me,” he said. “To me, it represents the Ku Klux Klan and racism.”
The United Daughters of the Confederacy placed the flags earlier this week, as they have done for 50 years, in preparation for a
celebration Sunday of Confederate Memorial Day, Norman said.
Confederate Memorial Day will be celebrated as a state holiday in Alabama Monday.
“I really didn’t know exactly how to respond to him,” she said. “I happen to be a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy. I
was very surprised, especially (as he is) a city councilman. I was amazed.”
Norman was not personally involved in placing the flags.
“I’m a historian,” she said. “We’re not about hate, we’re not about anything like that. We just want to honor our state’s rights, and
I’ve got Confederate ancestors, and I feel we should have the ability to do that.”
Norman and a friend were taking inventory of graves at Pine Hill Cemetery in Auburn when Dowdell drove up and asked who put
up the flags, she said.
“One of the flags had been placed on my great-grandfather’s grave, who was a Confederate soldier,” Norman said. “He just got
very upset, and he went over to my great-grandfather’s grave, picked up the flag and broke it in two.”
She said Dowdell did not know the plot she stood on was her family’s. The flags were placed on soldiers’ graves as a mark of
respect, she said.
He pulled up Confederate flags from other soldiers’ graves, too, she said.
Dowdell said in his years as councilman, he had never seen so many Confederate flags in one place.
“I’m going on the record that this will never happen again,” Dowdell said. “This will never happen again as long as I’m on the city
council.”
Dowdell denied intentionally snapping the flag.
“It might have snapped itself,” he said. “If it did, so what? If I had my way, I would have broke them all up and stomped on them
and burned them. That flag represents another country, another nation.”
Auburn Mayor Bill Ham said he was unaware of any incidents at the cemetery but said he talked with Dowdell Thursday
afternoon. Ham said his understanding was that all city cemeteries have covenants governing how and what types of
decorations can be placed on graves, except for Pine Hill because it is so old. Ham said he believed Dowdell asked an assistant
city manager to look into making policies equal for cemeteries across the city.
“The bottom line is those grave plots are deeded property,” Ham said. “We sell those. So they are sold to the family of the
individuals, and I think (plot owners) have a right to do exactly what they did, according to the city attorney.”
Ham said in his conversation with Dowdell, the councilman suggested the flags be placed on the graves for a shorter period of
time, perhaps for 24 hours before the event.
For now, the remaining flags will stay on the graves because of the lack of covenant governing Pine Hill, Ham said. But that could
change in coming years.
“I certainly think we need to be consistent in all the cemeteries with whatever the policy is, not only with this, but with
everything,” Ham said. “The council has got to make that decision.”
“I really didn’t know exactly how to respond to him,” she said. “I happen to be a member of the Daughters of the Confederacy. I
was very surprised, especially (as he is) a city councilman. I was amazed.”
Norman was not personally involved in placing the flags.
“I’m a historian,” she said. “We’re not about hate, we’re not about anything like that. We just want to honor our state’s rights, and
I’ve got Confederate ancestors, and I feel we should have the ability to do that.”
Norman and a friend were taking inventory of graves at Pine Hill Cemetery in Auburn when Dowdell drove up and asked who put
up the flags, she said.
“One of the flags had been placed on my great-grandfather’s grave, who was a Confederate soldier,” Norman said. “He just got
very upset, and he went over to my great-grandfather’s grave, picked up the flag and broke it in two.”
She said Dowdell did not know the plot she stood on was her family’s. The flags were placed on soldiers’ graves as a mark of
respect, she said.
He pulled up Confederate flags from other soldiers’ graves, too, she said.
Dowdell said in his years as councilman, he had never seen so many Confederate flags in one place.
“I’m going on the record that this will never happen again,” Dowdell said. “This will never happen again as long as I’m on the city
council.”
Dowdell denied intentionally snapping the flag.
“It might have snapped itself,” he said. “If it did, so what? If I had my way, I would have broke them all up and stomped on them
and burned them. That flag represents another country, another nation.”
Auburn Mayor Bill Ham said he was unaware of any incidents at the cemetery but said he talked with Dowdell Thursday
afternoon. Ham said his understanding was that all city cemeteries have covenants governing how and what types of
decorations can be placed on graves, except for Pine Hill because it is so old. Ham said he believed Dowdell asked an assistant
city manager to look into making policies equal for cemeteries across the city.
“The bottom line is those grave plots are deeded property,” Ham said. “We sell those. So they are sold to the family of the
individuals, and I think (plot owners) have a right to do exactly what they did, according to the city attorney.”
Ham said in his conversation with Dowdell, the councilman suggested the flags be placed on the graves for a shorter period of
time, perhaps for 24 hours before the event.
For now, the remaining flags will stay on the graves because of the lack of covenant governing Pine Hill, Ham said. But that could
change in coming years.
“I certainly think we need to be consistent in all the cemeteries with whatever the policy is, not only with this, but with
everything,” Ham said. “The council has got to make that decision.”
| As a historian, preservationist, and lastly the decedent of Confederate Soldiers I am completely appalled by councilman Dowdell's actions, The one place the Confederate flag should be flown without the image of hate should be a Confederate monument or burial site. I felt obligated to repost this article and voice my feelings along with the many other who feel that this man was willing wrong in his actions and should be charged for the blatant desecration of these graves. You can read more of my comment, listed under "The General" on the Opelika Auburn News online at: http://www.oanow.com/oan/news/local/article/councilman_removes_confederate_flags_from_ graves/69708/P90/ |
Amy Weaver
Staff Writer
Published: April 24, 2009
The majority of Auburn’s City Council disagrees with fellow councilmember Arthur L. Dowdell’s removal of Confederate flags
from graves at Pine Hill Cemetery Thursday.Dowdell, who represents Ward 1, said Friday he took four flags and plans to get the
rest on Monday, the day after the Admiral Semmes Chapter #57 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy observes
Confederate Memorial Day at the cemetery.Auburn Mayor Bill Ham Jr. and other council members said Friday they each have
heard from citizens about the incident, but there is nothing they can do as a council to censure Dowdell for his actions.Ham
said citizens even asked him about the possibility of arresting Dowdell.The only repercussions may be a misdemeanor charge
if a report is filed with the Auburn Police Division. Assistant Chief Tommy Dawson said he knew of no such report as of Friday
evening.Ward 6 councilmember Dick Phelan said the memorial service is not unique to Auburn or Alabama. He said it’s a way
to “honor our heritage.”But it’s the heritage’s negative aspects that prompted Dowdell to act. He said the week-long display of
Confederate flags in the cemetery was intimidating and a sign of racism and the Ku Klux Klan.“I don’t have any regrets for the
way I handled it,” he said. “None whatsoever.”Pine Hill Cemetery on Armstrong Street is in Ward 5, represented by Robin
Kelley. Efforts to reach Kelley Friday were unsuccessful.“It could be in heaven’s ward, and I’d campaign against it,” Dowdell
said.Dowdell, a self proclaimed Auburn native, said he never knew the United Daughters of the Confederacy displayed the flags
for the week before the memorial service. But it’s a practice he now demands be changed.“I’m not going to tolerate it,” he said.
“They can have one day like everybody else. They can do it for Sunday. That is their right, but don’t infringe on my rights for a
whole week.”Ham said he doesn’t condone anyone — a councilmember or a member of the community — going on private
property and destroying it.“Everybody in this community has a right to their own opinion, to freedom of speech, but that doesn’t
give anyone a right to destroy another’s property,” he said.Ward 2 councilmember Sheila Eckman said she received e-mails
about the incident, and none were in favor of Dowdell .“We have to be tolerant of other people’s values, other people’s sense of
history, other people’s interpretation of history,” she said. “The sentiment behind the display of flags is historic.”Ward 8
councilmember Bob Norman said there is no hatred intended with the flag display. It’s simply a way for a group of citizens to
exercise their rights and honor those who fought and died in the Civil War.Ward 3 councilmember Tom Worden said Friday he
would “not comment right now because I don’t have all the details. And that wouldn’t be fair to him (Dowdell). I was just
surprised he did it.”Ward 4 councilmember Brent Beard expressed surprise too, as well as disapproval. “He shouldn’t have
removed them if he didn’t like them,” Beard said. Gene Dulaney, who represents Ward 7, said Dowdell has a “passionate
personality” and a tendency to react without considering the consequences. Dowdell expressed no surprise at the reactions
of the rest of the council. “The council has disagreed with me before,” he said. “But I’m the only black man on the city council,
why would they agree with me? They’re all white. They don’t understand.”
Staff Writer
Published: April 24, 2009
The majority of Auburn’s City Council disagrees with fellow councilmember Arthur L. Dowdell’s removal of Confederate flags
from graves at Pine Hill Cemetery Thursday.Dowdell, who represents Ward 1, said Friday he took four flags and plans to get the
rest on Monday, the day after the Admiral Semmes Chapter #57 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy observes
Confederate Memorial Day at the cemetery.Auburn Mayor Bill Ham Jr. and other council members said Friday they each have
heard from citizens about the incident, but there is nothing they can do as a council to censure Dowdell for his actions.Ham
said citizens even asked him about the possibility of arresting Dowdell.The only repercussions may be a misdemeanor charge
if a report is filed with the Auburn Police Division. Assistant Chief Tommy Dawson said he knew of no such report as of Friday
evening.Ward 6 councilmember Dick Phelan said the memorial service is not unique to Auburn or Alabama. He said it’s a way
to “honor our heritage.”But it’s the heritage’s negative aspects that prompted Dowdell to act. He said the week-long display of
Confederate flags in the cemetery was intimidating and a sign of racism and the Ku Klux Klan.“I don’t have any regrets for the
way I handled it,” he said. “None whatsoever.”Pine Hill Cemetery on Armstrong Street is in Ward 5, represented by Robin
Kelley. Efforts to reach Kelley Friday were unsuccessful.“It could be in heaven’s ward, and I’d campaign against it,” Dowdell
said.Dowdell, a self proclaimed Auburn native, said he never knew the United Daughters of the Confederacy displayed the flags
for the week before the memorial service. But it’s a practice he now demands be changed.“I’m not going to tolerate it,” he said.
“They can have one day like everybody else. They can do it for Sunday. That is their right, but don’t infringe on my rights for a
whole week.”Ham said he doesn’t condone anyone — a councilmember or a member of the community — going on private
property and destroying it.“Everybody in this community has a right to their own opinion, to freedom of speech, but that doesn’t
give anyone a right to destroy another’s property,” he said.Ward 2 councilmember Sheila Eckman said she received e-mails
about the incident, and none were in favor of Dowdell .“We have to be tolerant of other people’s values, other people’s sense of
history, other people’s interpretation of history,” she said. “The sentiment behind the display of flags is historic.”Ward 8
councilmember Bob Norman said there is no hatred intended with the flag display. It’s simply a way for a group of citizens to
exercise their rights and honor those who fought and died in the Civil War.Ward 3 councilmember Tom Worden said Friday he
would “not comment right now because I don’t have all the details. And that wouldn’t be fair to him (Dowdell). I was just
surprised he did it.”Ward 4 councilmember Brent Beard expressed surprise too, as well as disapproval. “He shouldn’t have
removed them if he didn’t like them,” Beard said. Gene Dulaney, who represents Ward 7, said Dowdell has a “passionate
personality” and a tendency to react without considering the consequences. Dowdell expressed no surprise at the reactions
of the rest of the council. “The council has disagreed with me before,” he said. “But I’m the only black man on the city council,
why would they agree with me? They’re all white. They don’t understand.”
| Update |
| Members of the Alabama Paranormal Research Team will be present Monday April 27, 2009 at Pine Hill cemetery and other locations to honor our fallen Solders and to participate in Confederate Memorial Day |
Katie Stallcup
Staff writer
Published: April 26, 2009
Despite recent controversy surrounding Confederate battle flags at an Auburn cemetery, the Confederate Memorial Day service
at Pine Hill Cemetery on Sunday went smoothly as planned.
Only one sign of the controversy was evident Sunday afternoon - an Auburn police patrol car parked near the cemetery. A police
car was also present at the old Auburn train depot where a smaller ceremony took place later Sunday. The dispute began
Thursday after Auburn City Councilman Arthur L. Dowdell removed a handful of Confederate flags from grave sites at the
cemetery, saying they offended him and others and were reminders of racism. Since then, Auburn Mayor Bill Ham released a
statement saying Dowdell’s actions do not represent the city’s position and the graves are deeded, private property. Other
Auburn council members expressed disapproval, as well. By Sunday night, more than 400 comments had been posted at http:
//www.oanow.com on the topic, and more than 3,700 votes had been cast in the site’s online poll. The majority expressed their
disapproval of removing the flags. Auburn police said Sunday no reports regarding the incident had been filed. Sunday, the
United Daughters of the Confederacy Admiral Semmes Chapter 57 of Auburn led the Pine Hill Cemetery service with poems, a
history of the chapter and a roll call of the 75 Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery. Approximately 70 people, many
sporting the Confederate flag on their clothes, stood while a string band played “Dixie.” Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated
as a state holiday today.
The chapter has placed small Confederate flags on the Pine Hill graves of Confederate soldiers for years, chapter president
Mary Potts said. Potts said she thought the recent debate over the flags placed on the graves is “unfortunate.” Potts said the
chapter placed the flags on Confederate soldiers’ graves as a sign of respect. “I think it’s unfortunate that they don’t understand
our purpose,” she said. “It’s not racist at all. It’s part of our history, and we want to preserve that history as it was.”
Along with history, the chapter focuses on veterans, including making donations to the veterans’ home in Tuskegee, she said. In
a separate service, approximately a dozen people gathered at the old Auburn train depot later Sunday afternoon to remember
the Auburn Guards, a group of Confederate soldiers for which that organizing chapter of the UDC is named.
Staff writer
Published: April 26, 2009
Despite recent controversy surrounding Confederate battle flags at an Auburn cemetery, the Confederate Memorial Day service
at Pine Hill Cemetery on Sunday went smoothly as planned.
Only one sign of the controversy was evident Sunday afternoon - an Auburn police patrol car parked near the cemetery. A police
car was also present at the old Auburn train depot where a smaller ceremony took place later Sunday. The dispute began
Thursday after Auburn City Councilman Arthur L. Dowdell removed a handful of Confederate flags from grave sites at the
cemetery, saying they offended him and others and were reminders of racism. Since then, Auburn Mayor Bill Ham released a
statement saying Dowdell’s actions do not represent the city’s position and the graves are deeded, private property. Other
Auburn council members expressed disapproval, as well. By Sunday night, more than 400 comments had been posted at http:
//www.oanow.com on the topic, and more than 3,700 votes had been cast in the site’s online poll. The majority expressed their
disapproval of removing the flags. Auburn police said Sunday no reports regarding the incident had been filed. Sunday, the
United Daughters of the Confederacy Admiral Semmes Chapter 57 of Auburn led the Pine Hill Cemetery service with poems, a
history of the chapter and a roll call of the 75 Confederate soldiers buried in the cemetery. Approximately 70 people, many
sporting the Confederate flag on their clothes, stood while a string band played “Dixie.” Confederate Memorial Day is celebrated
as a state holiday today.
The chapter has placed small Confederate flags on the Pine Hill graves of Confederate soldiers for years, chapter president
Mary Potts said. Potts said she thought the recent debate over the flags placed on the graves is “unfortunate.” Potts said the
chapter placed the flags on Confederate soldiers’ graves as a sign of respect. “I think it’s unfortunate that they don’t understand
our purpose,” she said. “It’s not racist at all. It’s part of our history, and we want to preserve that history as it was.”
Along with history, the chapter focuses on veterans, including making donations to the veterans’ home in Tuskegee, she said. In
a separate service, approximately a dozen people gathered at the old Auburn train depot later Sunday afternoon to remember
the Auburn Guards, a group of Confederate soldiers for which that organizing chapter of the UDC is named.
| See local New video from the memorial service at Pinehill cemetery Click Here |
| Founder/Director of A.P.R.T. stands along side the graves of her Confederate Ancestors in Pine Hill Cemetery. Auburn, Alabama |