Dr. Angela Courage and Joseph Daniels, concerned citizens of Fayetteville, AR, strongly petition that The Bikes, Blues & BBQ organization publically discourage and condemn the flying and display of the Confederate Flag during the week long community events.  Racial hatred and divisiveness continue to plague our nation and the Confederate Flag is symbolic of past and present acts of terror toward minority groups, especially people of African American descent.

The Bikes, Blues & BBQ rally and events held every fall in Fayetteville, Arkansas is outstanding.  Bikes, Blues & BBQ is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, who have used the rally to raise and donate more than $1.3 million to support and benefit local charities.  It is estimated that over 400,000 people attend the rally from all 50 states and many other countries.

Last year in the wake of the massacre in Charleston, SC where nine churchgoers were murdered, the Confederate Flag was removed from the South Carolina State House after racial violence was deemed the motive of the massacre.  That action catapulted the blatant flying and displaying of the flag throughout the country and was overt during the 2015 Bikes, Blues, and BBQ Rally.  On a national scale, the aforementioned incident, along with the controversies regarding the displaying of the Confederate flag led many retailers and companies to ban the sale and display of the Confederate flag, including Wal-Mart. Many feel that the Confederate flag is offensive to minorities of this country, and its display is very harmful and insensitive. 

We understand the heritage and pride behind flying the flag, and do not look to violate anyone’s First Amendment right. Though the Constitution allows freedom of speech, even hate speech, private citizens, businesses, and non-profit organizations have the ability to discourage and perhaps even prevent bad behavior that incites acts of harm against vulnerable persons within our community.  Racial hatred and intimidation is felt and demonstrated nationally with no period of time in our history being excluded.  The City of Fayetteville has demonstrated continual efforts to promote diversity, inclusion, and compassion in its support for people of color, the LGBT community, and individuals with disabilities.  We do not want this rally to demean such efforts and the strides that have been made thus far.

The goal of this petition is to implore the executive team of Bikes, Blues, & BBQ to publicly discourage and condemn the display or flying of the Confederate Flag through website notices and marketing/advertising material.  Your signature can move this cause forward as we strive to make this community event safe, inviting, and enjoyable for all who look to attend.