Protesters Clash Over Confederate Flag At Arizona Walmart

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PHOENIX (AP) — Things got noisy outside a west Phoenix Walmart after the company’s decision to remove Confederate flag merchandise attracted scores of protesters and counter-protesters.

The Arizona Republic reports that Jon Ritzheimer organized the Sunday afternoon protest of Walmart’s decision. Ritzheimer is a former Marine who staged a contentious rally outside a Phoenix mosque in May.

His group of self-proclaimed “patriots,” some of them armed, waved the rebel flag alongside the American one while chanting “U-S-A.”

Counter-protesters clashed with Ritzheimer’s group. They called the flag racist and lauded Walmart’s decision to remove it from shelves.

An unofficial police count estimates that the event drew about 100 people. Phoenix police spokesman Lt. Randy Force says 11 officers were at the event after Walmart management called police.

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Information from: The Arizona Republic, http://www.azcentral.com

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  1. This does not reflect well on our public-school system.

  2. Avatar for deuce deuce says:

    This Ritzheimer fellow seems to truly believe that he has a career as a professional agitator.

  3. “Protesters Clash Over Confederate Flag At Arizona Walmart.”

    Wow, that is COMEDY GOLD on so many levels!

  4. I thought he went into hiding because he feared for his life?

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