Borough Council Resolution #2020-05

Overview

The Borough Council of Ebensburg, Pennsylvania, adopted Resolution #2020-05 on June 22, 2020. The resolution formally rejects the public display of the Confederate battle flag and denounces hate speech, citing historical context regarding slavery, the Civil War, and the Civil Rights era.

Key Decisions

• Rejection of Intimidation: The Council formally rejects any efforts to intimidate residents and visitors.
• Denouncement of Hate Speech: The Council denounces hateful or violent speech directed at individuals or groups based on race or ethnicity.
• Proclamation Against the Flag: The Council proclaims that the public display of the Confederate flag is inconsistent with the values of the Borough, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the United States.

Historical Context

The resolution outlines several "Whereas" clauses to justify its stance:

• Civil War History: The flag is identified as a symbol of the secessionist movement that supported slavery. It notes that 27,000 residents of Pennsylvania died in the Civil War defending the Union.
• Local Service: Nearly 3,000 citizens of Cambria County served in the Union Army during the war; their names are memorialized on bronze plaques at the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial in Ebensburg.
• Civil Rights Era: The flag was subsequently used during the Civil Rights era to oppose basic human rights for Black Americans and to intimidate citizens exercising their constitutional rights.

Signatories

The document was adopted by the Ebensburg Borough Council and signed by:

• Doug Tusing, President
• Daniel L. Penatzer, Secretary