Confederate flag at issue with group

The Community Foundation of Lorain County announced July 16that it is boycotting the Lorain County Fair.

The Community Foundation of Lorain County announced July 16 that it is boycotting the Lorain County Fair because of its stance of allowing the sale of the Confederate flag.

In a news release, the Community Foundation, with the support of Cynthia H. Andrews, president and CEO; Susan J. Bowers, chairperson of the board; A.G. Miller, chairperson of the Community Engagement Committee; and Regan Phillips, president of the African American Community Fund board, said: At the Community Foundation of Lorain County, we are not only witness to the depth and range of emotions in our community, we are feeling those ourselves.

“The national and global protests around the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery among others have sharpened our focus surrounding police action and has risen our consciousness and brought into clarity the systemic issues of racism,” the statement continued. “And yet our local Lorain County Fair Board continues to embrace Racism through its support of the Confederate Flag. The glorification of this symbol of anti-American rebellion and racial hatred cannot be supported.

“At our Community Foundation of Lorain County Board meeting this morning (July 16), we had unanimous support to boycott the Lorain County Fair and ask the Lorain County Fair Board to reconsider its decision in support of the Confederate Flag and join other Wayne, Medina and Ohio State Fairs in banning this symbol of hatred. We are asking that sponsors, local businesses and nonprofits withdraw their support from the Lorain County Fair so long as this symbol is displayed and sold at the fair.”