Virginia Flaggers Look For Conflict Badly Dressed

You may remember that a few weeks ago Virginia Flagger Tripp Lewis was arrested on the grounds of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts following a conflict with museum security.  This recent incident reflects a pattern of behavior in this group.  It’s a desperate plea for attention and a clear indication that very few people are listening or care enough to advocate in one way or another for the group.  I’ve said from the beginning that I respect their right to protest, but at this point I see no clear road leading to success.  In fact, the tactics of Mr. Lewis and others have only worked to marginalize the Flaggers.

The following video was filmed before Christmas on the grounds of Richmond’s Oakwood Cemetery.  It is an important cemetery for those who care about the proper treatment of Confederate graves.  In the video Lewis raises a Confederate flag on cemetery grounds to replace those which have mysteriously disappeared.  From there he takes us inside a small office that oversees the grounds.

Lewis is clearly looking for a fight.  Unfortunately for him, no one in the office has the least bit of interest in what he insists is a case of vandalism and disrespect.  At the tail end of the video Lewis is encouraged to end his little stunt and leave.  Even worse, I have no doubt that they did not ask the female employee for her permission to post the video.  Knowing that this video was filmed before Christmas helps to place the VMFA incident in proper perspective.  Given that his mild-mannered approach did not work, Lewis decided to step it up a notch in front of the museum.  Again, no one cared about his crusade, but in this case he confronted the wrong people.

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18 comments… add one
  • James Finchum Jun 4, 2014 @ 2:15

    I think the Confederate flag should be flown over Confederate soldiers graves. These men even my ancestors fought and died for something they believed in : STATES RIGHTS

    • Kevin Levin Jun 4, 2014 @ 2:32

      I agree that Confederate cemeteries are appropriate places for flags.

      These men even my ancestors fought and died for something they believed in : STATES RIGHTS

      Do you have evidence (letters/diaries) that this is what your ancestors fought for?

  • Firm Foundation Pictures Jan 31, 2013 @ 10:35

    I am the film maker that made this documentary. You are wrong. Upon concluding this shoot, before leaving, I had everyone sign a release. To not do so is illegal. I am a professional. You have my permission to share this video but do not make unsubstantiated claims. I take that as a hit to my credibility.

    • Kevin Levin Jan 31, 2013 @ 11:46

      Thanks for confirming that. It’s a reasonable question given the quality of the film. For all I know it was shot using an iPhone. I don’t need your permission to share this video. You apparently uploaded it to Vimeo and made no adjustments to the sharing options.

      • Rob Walker Jr Feb 13, 2013 @ 9:55

        A) I did not shoot this on an iPhone. B) I left the sharing open and free when posted on Vimeo. If you are unable to have a constructive and intellectual conversation free of cheap blows then I will change the privacy setting to permission only. I am an unbiased filmmaker. Leave me out of your insults please. Your fight is not with me. I have not attacked your credibility. Please do not attack mine.

        • Kevin Levin Feb 13, 2013 @ 10:02

          Mr. Walker,

          I simply offered an observation about the quality of the film. If you find that troubling so be it, but please don’t allow me to determine your privacy settings. Finally, what would you like to have an intellectual conversation about? Tripp Lewis and his cheap stunts? Please.

          • I want the conversation to be about the content of his argument. It seems, by this site, that you are interested in educating people about Civil War history. Lets talk about that. Do you feel that the Confederate flag should fly over the graves of confederate soldiers? I feel that Tripp’s tactics are interesting. Is he looking to make a scene and be noticed? I believe so. Is it working? Yes, even people in Boston are noticing. Does what Tripp is wearing or how he wears it important, yes. I, and even some with in the Flaggers joke Tripp about wearing sun glasses with the uniform, so all those trying to use that to tear him down your going to have to wake up earlier than that. However, to act like school yard bullies and cyber tease him, that I childish and inappropriate not to mention counterintuitive. Point in fact, people notice him. I have been with him while he stops at a store to buy a Mountain Dew. People notice and it is a conversation starter. Constructive is to talk about the issue, how well the message is delivered, and the quality of the argument. I like your site. I have watched some of the interviews you have done and I have read up on you. I would like to give you a chance to speak, in contrast if you wish, to the points that the flaggers make. I am willing to travel to Boston or where ever you would like to meet to conduct an interview. Like I said, I am unbiased. I am not for or against the Confederate flag. I simply wish to conduct an investigation into the issue. Unfortunately, those who claim to be on the size more righteous than the Flaggers have refused to speak. Hopefully you will be the first.

            PS: It worked. The cemetery has taken action to rectify the problem of the flag being taken, so I believe you are wrong that they didn’t care. But all that will be in part 2 of the documentary.

            • Kevin Levin Feb 26, 2013 @ 2:44

              Mr. Walker,

              Do you feel that the Confederate flag should fly over the graves of confederate soldiers?

              I’ve addressed this question numerous times on this site. Each post comes with a set of tags and categories that will take you to related posts.

              Yes, even people in Boston are noticing.

              I lived and taught in Charlottesville, Virginia for ten years. During that time I had one of the leaders of the Flaggers actually suggest Online that it would be a good idea for me to be confronted at my place of work.

              However, to act like school yard bullies and cyber tease him, that I childish and inappropriate not to mention counterintuitive.

              What a ridiculous thing to say.

              I would like to give you a chance to speak, in contrast if you wish, to the points that the flaggers make.

              With all due respect, I don’t need you to give me an opportunity to speak. My position on the public display of the Confederate flag could not be clearer as well as my opinions re: the tactics of the Flaggers.

  • David Jan 31, 2013 @ 9:58

    You have made assumptions of Trip and his reasons for his actions to which are difficult to gain a clear perspective of, even in a sit-down interview. I am quite sure that you have not done so and thus have given this an unjust biased tone as you are, quite literally, talking about something that you know nothing about. Don’t judge a book by it’s cover. If many northern Americans had done so, then Lincoln would never have become President. Think about that for a minute. Maybe an hour for that matter.

    • Kevin Levin Jan 31, 2013 @ 11:47

      Thank you for the thoughtful response.

    • bobhuddleston Jan 31, 2013 @ 13:53

      ” If many northern Americans had done so, then Lincoln would never have become President” If many white Southerners had done so 750,000 Americans would not have died.

  • bummer Jan 31, 2013 @ 8:14

    I hope that Tripp realizes how comical he appears, probably not, some of his comrades ought to clue him in. A stealthy night raid would get more publicity and create, at least a little mystery to the protest.
    Bumemr

  • Brooks D. Simpson Jan 30, 2013 @ 19:34

    You do realize that Mr. Edgerton outranks him.

    • Andy Hall (was AndyinTexas) Jan 31, 2013 @ 9:25

      Maybe they can’t afford Edgerton. Twenty grand seems like a lot for what he does, unique and memorable as it may be.

  • Albert Mackey Jan 30, 2013 @ 17:38

    He has a very poor understanding of the law. He’s the one putting in unauthorized items. As the items are unauthorized, they are not “memorials.” This crowd is just clueless.

    • Kevin Levin Jan 30, 2013 @ 18:44

      Congratulations on your recent promotion. I think you are in very good company. 🙂

      • Albert Mackey Jan 30, 2013 @ 18:59

        Thanks, Kevin. I’m proud to be part of such an august group. 🙂

  • Patrick Young Jan 30, 2013 @ 17:31

    Does he wear his dime-store Confederate uniform to work? Does he take it off when he showers?

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