One Republican State Senator is even calling for his resignation.
Leaders in South Carolina have ordered the Confederate flag removed from the capitol grounds after the racially-motivated shooting in Charleston.
Now, the symbol considered by so many to be a painful reminder of the past in the South, is opening old wounds in the North, after a state Republican Party official, Scott Veley, displayed the flag outside his home in Berlin.
Veley posted a picture on his Facebook page of the confederate flag outside his home, and wrote "I will not give in to this politically correct absurdity--flying the "Stars&bars" today in protest."
For the past 10 years Veley has been a member of the Connecticut Republican Party state central committee. The 72 member "rule-making" body elects the party chairman.
"I join with others in condemning in the strongest of terms the display of the Confederate flag, I also strongly urge Mr. Veley to resign from his position with the state party," Republican Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, of North Haven said in a statement Sunday.
Democrats demanded the state republican party hold Veley accountable for his actions.
"If you want to be part of an organization, and you want to be a representative of a political party and represent people in your community, you should not be doing things that," said Nick Balletto, chairman of the Connecticut Democratic Party.
Balletto said Veley's conduct goes beyond politics, and was "intensive and senseless"
President Obama on Friday called the confederate flag, "A reminder of systematic oppression" while speaking during a funeral service for pastor and former South Carolina state Senator Clementa Pickney, one of the nine shot and killed inside that historic black church.
"The individuals and the family's down in South Carolina are going through so much, why would he want to put the flags up now? What type of message is he trying to send?" Scot X. Esdaile, president of the Connecticut NAACP.
Esdaile said he will be talking with local clergy and community leaders about possibly organizing a protest in front of Veley's house if the flag is not removed.
"We want to make sure in the state of Connecticut individuals that want to be pro-terrorism, pro-hate, pro-bigotry, that they`re going to be uncomfortable," Esdaile said.
Fox Connecticut stopped by Veley's home on Saturday but he could not be reached for comment. The confederate flag was no longer displayed outside the home.
"He probably saw how people reacted online and took it down," said Seth Reale, a next-door neighbor.
The newly elected Connecticut Republican Party party chairman and political consultant J. R. Romano of Derby, issued this statement condemning the actions of Veley on Saturday.
Republican Leaders do not condone the actions of Mr. Veley which were his own and not representative of Connecticut Republicans. It was insensitive, foolish and diverts attention from the important goals we all share - a just, free prosperous country.
Democrats are trying to change the subject from their record tax increases, unwillingness to answer lawful subpoena's and their inability set Connecticut on a path to prosperity. Just yesterday some of Connecticut's most important business leaders met to discuss taking thousands of jobs out of state. Democrats want to focus on the story of ONE man's misguided and wrong decision to hoist a flag. This does not define the Connecticut Republican Party.
I would love to sit down with the NAACP or any other advocacy organization to discuss how Republicans want to improve education and employment opportunity for their constituencies.
Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement today in response to Veley’s flying of the Confederate flag:
“One hundred-fifty years after the end of the Civil War, the confederate flag still represents slavery, still represents the bloody war fought in defense of slavery, still represents prejudice and oppression. Mr. Veley has a constitutional right to freedom of speech, and he displays the Confederate flag on private property, but that flag is a reflection of bigotry, divisiveness and hate. It is not representative of the values of the Republican Party or of Connecticut Republicans. As a Republican legislative leader, I feel that Mr. Veley’s actions are a distraction from the policy initiatives of Republicans in our state and our efforts to advance legislation that moves our state forward and rejects intolerance and prejudice. Mr. Veley is a member of the Republican State Central Committee. This action by someone in Mr. Veley’s position is unacceptable. I join with others in condemning in the strongest of terms the display of the Confederate flag. I also strongly urge Mr. Veley to resign from his position with the state party.”
