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A Confederate flag that sparked controversy in Marion County and some of the flag pole was removed by a protester Saturday. However, people who were demonstrating insisted the flag fell down on its own.
Another flag was flying again a few hours later, according to the Gainesville Sun.
As about two dozen protesters gathered at the historical flags display in the McPherson Governmental Complex in Ocala to voice their dissent over the flag, the top of the flagpole and the flag itself reportedly fell. The Gainesville Sun reports one of the protesters carried it away.
A county employee later picked up the flag and took it away. County leaders said the flag and pole will remain stored until commissioners decide what to do next.
The flag was rehoisted by someone who claimed to be from an area historical society.
The flag had been removed from a display after the fatal church shootings in South Carolina, but then was returned to its previous place this week.
“If you want to fly the rebel flag or wear it on your shirt or hat, I have no problem with that. I have a problem with the rebel flag flying over a government facility, or in any kind of government display,” said demonstrator Yvonne DePew.
Ocala police said there’s no criminal investigation into the incident.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
