A combat is brewing over the flying of large American flags across the nation, particularly outdoors Tenting World areas. The corporate’s CEO mentioned they received’t be backing down.
“This flag is not coming down. This is the third city in the last several years that tried to sue us to take the flag down. Threatening jail, a variety of other fines,” mentioned Tenting World CEO Marcus Lemonis on “Fox & Friends,” Wednesday.
The nationwide RV seller with over 200 areas is being confronted with a number of lawsuits from municipalities throughout the nation over the dimensions of the American flags it flies on the shops.
Metropolis leaders in Greenville, North Carolina, voted final week to take authorized motion in opposition to the flag at their native Tenting World dealership, following a lawsuit from Sevierville, Tennessee earlier this week.
“We’ve had these flags up for … 20 years, so it’s surprising to me in states like North Carolina and Tennessee that I’m dealing with this,” mentioned Lemonis.
Greenville notes the flag is nearly the dimensions of a basketball court docket, spanning 3200 sq. toes. The pole it flies from is round 130 toes tall, virtually double the present allowance.
Officers from Sevierville, Tennessee, argue they take difficulty with the peak of the pole, not the dimensions of the flag.
“Let us be clear: the City of Sevierville is not, and never will be, against patriotism,” they wrote.
“Excessively tall structures can create visual distractions for motorists, pose potential safety hazards, and impact the scenic views that are a vital part of what makes Sevierville a destination for residents and visitors alike.”
Greenville Communications Supervisor Brock Letchworth issued this assertion relating to their authorized motion:
“This has never been about removing an American flag or the type of flag. It is about bringing the flag into compliance with City Code. We look forward to finding a resolution that will result in the continued display of the flag, but in a way that does not violate local laws.”
However Lemonis says he received’t budge on the difficulty, and that the flags are his love letter to the US, which allowed him to thrive there after he needed to depart Beirut, Lebanon.
“I wasn’t born in this country. I emigrated from Beirut, Lebanon. Came here to Miami, Florida and had an opportunity to live the American dream in this country. I’ve put a lot of sweat and tears into building this business for my people, for the country. And it’s my love letter to tell everybody how grateful I am this country provided me an opportunity where it didn’t have to. To make money, to be a capitalist, to provide jobs in America.”
Lemonis says he plans to place extra flags up, and that when he reaches one million toes of flag, he’ll really feel he’s able to cease including extra.
“From my perspective, the flag’s not a problem … It has FAA clearance, and for me, this feels like an opportunity for the city to say we want to control what’s happening there.”
