CONFEDERATE FLAG USE IS DISPUTED IN WINCHESTER

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 6, 1993                   TAG: 9303060302
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WINCHESTER                                LENGTH: Short
CONFEDERATE FLAG USE IS DISPUTED IN WINCHESTER
A city flag that resembles the Food Lion grocery store logo is preferable to one that would incorporate a Confederate symbol, a local civil rights leader said.
John Hill, president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said his organization will fight a proposal to change the city flag to feature the city seal. The seal illustrates the Confederate battle flag and three other banners that have flown over the city.
Councilman Richard Kern proposed the change last month, citing the seal's historic significance. The lion featured on the 57-year-old city flag is modeled after those on the flag of Winchester, England, but Kern said it looks too much like the Food Lion emblem.
Kern also said the fact that groups such as the Ku Klux Klan have used the battle flag "should not be a reason for us to deny our heritage."
Hill said many blacks see the Confederate flag as a symbol of "continuing racism" would be offended to see it flying over the city.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB