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In response to the recent removal of Confederate Battle Flags from the Lee Chapel, The Va Flaggers have followed up with a letter to W&L President Kenneth Ruscio and other key W&L personnel. In our communication, we make the following key points:
*Experience has proven that compromise with those
who make such demands is always fatal. If
these 6 students are “offended” by the presence of 8 historically significant
Confederate Battle Flags, displayed for over 83 years in the sepulcher, who is
to say they won’t be “offended” when they visit the museum in the basement,
where the flags are to be displayed, or even by a portrait of Lee hanging in
the Chapel? What will be their next
demand, now that they were able to easily manipulate the administration?
*Even so, the removal of the flags and desecration
of the Chapel was a direct violation of Virginia State Law, which states that
it is “unlawful for the authorities of the locality, or any other person or
persons, to disturb or interfere with any monuments or memorials so erected, or
to prevent its citizens from taking proper measures and exercising proper means
for the protection, preservation and care of same…”
We intend to pursue the prosecution of this violation
to the fullest extent of the law. https://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-
*Further, from the W&L By-Laws. Section 2
designates the building as the “Lee Memorial Chapel”: 2. “The
Lee Memorial Chapel. The chapel on the University grounds, erected during the
presidency of General Robert E. Lee and under his direction, shall be known as
"The Lee Memorial Chapel." This chapel may be used for the
commencement and other University exercises and meetings, but it shall not be
used for any meetings or purposes not in keeping with its consecrated character
and the memorial and sacred purposes to which it is dedicated.” We believe that displaying the honored battle
flags of the men who fought and died under General Robert E. Lee is certainly
“in keeping with its consecrated character and the memorial and sacred purposes
to which it is dedicated”.
Removing them
to appease a half dozen agitators, on the other hand, is not.
We let them know, in no uncertain terms, that we expected
the reproduction flags, originally donated by the SCV, to be returned
to the sepulcher immediately, and that there would most certainly be
demonstrations and protests if the flags are not returned.
Hundreds
of you have contacted us about your desire to gather and protest at the
University. We are actively planning and coordinating these efforts,
and will have all details in place and plans ready in the event that the
flags are not returned.
At the
same time, we are developing several other points of attack, including
organizing alumni and student groups to have the flags returned and
having those responsible for removing them removed from office, as well
as several additional avenues that are currently in research.
CALL TO ACTION:
1)
We need to make sure the University hears from AS MANY PEOPLE as
possible over the next few days and weeks. PLEASE take the time to
contact every person listed below. Use telephone, email, and mail to
convey to them your feelings about the desecration of Robert E. Lee's
final resting place. If you are an alumni or donor, make sure you let
them know that your donations will cease until the flags are restored to
their rightful place.
Light up the W&L switchboard...call early, and often!
2)
Please forward this email to EVERYONE on your email list, especially to
and W&L alumni or students you may know. It is imperative that we
spread the word QUICKLY.
Washington & Lee University Contact Information:
President
Mr. Kenneth Ruscio
Washington and Lee University
204 West Washington Street
Lexington,Virginia 24450
(540) 458-8700
president@wlu.edu
Provost
Daniel Wubah
Washington and Lee University
Washington Hall 214
Lexington,Virginia 24450
(540)458-8418
dwubah@wlu.edu
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Secretary of the University:
James D. Farrar, Jr.
Washington & Lee University
203 Washington Hall
Lexington,VA 24450
(540)458-8465
jdfarrar@wlu.edu
Executive Assistant to the Board of Trustees:
Katherine Brinkley
Washington & Lee University
202 Washington Hall
Lexington,VA 24450
(540)458-8417
kbrinkley@wlu.edu
Thank you, in advance, for your diligence in this matter.
Please watch for more emails, as we have much more information to share in the coming days.
Sincerely,
Grayson Jennings
Va Flaggers
P.O. Box 547
Sandston, VA 23150
emails sent!
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