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Firefighter suspended after flying Confederate flag in parade
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A southern Minnesota volunteer firefighter has been suspended after flying the Confederate battle flag from a fire truck in an Independence Day weekend parade.
According to WCCO-TV, Brian Nielsen, 43, displayed the flag, along with an American flag, on the back of a Hartland Fire Department truck during the parade in Albert Lea on Friday. The department's chief, Trent Wangen, suspended Nielsen after the department started to receive negative attention, the station said.
Nielsen told WCCO that he is sorry for hurting the city and will resign if asked.
"It was my decision and I didn't think it was going to be a big deal, but boy was I wrong," Nielsen told The Associated Press.
Nielsen, who said he isn't racist, said he may issue a formal apology this week.
"I don't see race," he said. "Black and white are the same to me. My belief is that 'politically correct' is going too far."
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