In Ohio, there's been an attempt in Columbus this past week to ban confederate flags at county fairs. The amendments did not pass in the Republican majority, but Ohio State Representative (D-26th) Erica Crawley, of Youngstown said efforts will continue in the statehouse despite the failure of legislation. 

"It is very offensive to black people and people of color," Crawley said. "If you want people to feel included in Mahoning County than you need to address this and ban the sale of confederate flags."

The Canfield Fair Board said there have been vendors in the past who sell confederate flags, but when approached the board says they've taken them down. The fair does have a rule that says the board can limit offensive and obscene merchandise, but some sellers could go unnoticed.

"It's been an issue that's been on the forefront for the last 10 years, and we were on top of it back then and we will continue to abide by the rules and regulations," Canfield Fair Board Member, George Roman said.

Roman said they've been monitoring the display and selling of confederate flags for years, but because it's not illegal to sell the flag, the Canfield Fair will not be banning sales until Ohio changes legislation.

"We follow all the Ohio revised code rules and laws and if they determine it's unlawful to sell it then it's definitely unlawful,"  Roman said. 

Meanwhile, there's a Change.org petition in favor of banning the flag at the Canfield fair online with around 2-thousand signatures and hundreds of comments. 

One comment said, "This should have been done a long time ago." Another said, "Confederate flags belong in museums and history books." Another signer wrote, "People from all over the United States attend this fair and it needs to be a safe space for all people."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next, the bill will proceed to the House Senate for consideration.