Confederate flag raised at Belleview City Hall

BELLEVIEW, Fla. — The Florida state flag was lowered Wednesday morning and the Confederate flag was raised in its stead at Belleview City Hall in observance of Confederate History Day.

A group gathered in the small Marion County town for a ceremony to pay homage to those who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War.

"What this brings back for me is history," said Bill Canova, who had family that served in the Civil War.

Canova's great-grandfather fought in the Civil War. He said it was important for him to see the flag raising to honor his great-grandfather who put his life on the line.

"I personally feel very humbled and concerned. And I just think of the past and how important my family played in helping a cause they thought was right," said Canova.

Watch footage of Wednesday's flag-raising ceremony below:

Town officials said the flag has been flown annually for several years despite the banner’s controversy.

“People say it’s a racist flag, but again, people fought for their homes at that time,” said Charles Kadel, commander of the 8th Brigade for the Florida division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. “They want to do away with all of our monuments and the flags today. You know, they have been attacking the flag for years.”

Others disagree.

Francine Julius Edwards, co-founder of the Bridges Project, said the flag should be displayed in a museum, not outside a government building.

“Anything that looks like the Confederate flag does matter and it is oppressive,” she said. “If they were putting up a flag, why wouldn't it be the original 13 colonies flag, which was the original flag that came to Florida?”

The town’s mayor said she’s comfortable with flying the flag and that she has never received any complaints about it until this year.

Supporters of the flag who gathered for Wednesday’s ceremony said history “can't and shouldn't” be changed.

The Confederate flag will be replaced by the Florida state flag at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Cox Media Group