TIFTON, Ga.
(Associated Press)
— A south Georgia mayor said today he will
continue flying a Mexican flag at city hall for the six immigrant farm workers
slain in robberies — despite complaints from residents.
Seven people called WTIF radio station
Thursday, saying the gesture was inappropriate and that the Mexican and U.S.
flags should not fly together.
"I did that as an expression of sorrow to the
Hispanic community," Mayor Paul Johnson said. "For those who we offended, I
apologize, but I think it was the right thing to do."
The red, white and green Mexican flag, donated
by the Colombian-born priest of Tifton's only Roman Catholic church, was first
raised Monday and taken down Thursday because it was damaged by Tropical Storm
Tammy.
The mayor has requested a new flag and pledged
the display would last six days, one for each man slain.
Johnson said he considers immigrants to be a
part of the community, who do very important work. "They're here to find the
hope of America," the mayor said.
WTIF station manager Chris Beckham said the
callers who opposed the display "just thought it was the wrong thing to do."
The six men were killed with guns and baseball
bats during a crime spree authorities blame on an armed-robbery gang that preyed
on immigrants. Three people have been charged with first-degree murder.
