Christian Flag Rally, King N.C

KING, N.C. (WGHP) - King saw its population almost double Saturday, October 23 2010, after people from as far away as the Midwest came to rally to keep a Christian flag at a veteran's memorial.

The controversy began in September, when someone called city leaders to complain that flying the Christian flag on public property violated the First Amendment. City officials agreed to take down the flag to avoid a costly and likely lengthy lawsuit.

Veterans and other residents who were angered that the flag was taken down applied for a temporary permit to fly the flag at the memorial. That permit expires tonight.

As a result, nearly 5,000 people took part in a peaceful rally Saturday to try to keep the spirit of the fight alive.

'We want to say to our legislators and lawmakers that enough is enough,' said a man at the podium amongst the cheering crowd.

'It's time to stand, and today we're coming front and center to let the country know we're going to take the Christian flag back,' Rev. Ron Baity said.

'I'm a Vietnam vet, and if it weren't for Jesus Christ, I would have died right there,' Michael Douglas from Rock Hill, S.C., said.

FOX8 tried to reach out to several people with opposing views, but they did not return phone calls Saturday.

The King City Council has called a special meeting to discuss the issue Tuesday at 6 p.m. However, the meeting will go into closed session so the issue can be discussed with attorneys. Among options reportedly to be discussed includes leaving the flagpole empty and allowing different groups to fly their own flags for periods of time.