Small Crowd Voices Displeasure with 'Confederate History,' McDonnell and Cuccinelli

Six people spoke at the protest, organized by College Democrats. (Jonathan Smith)
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UPDATED 5:53 p.m. 

A small group of protesters joined together Monday at the North Plaza outside the Johnson Center to protest governor McDonnell’s controversial decision to proclaim April “Confederate History Month”.

The protesters, organized by the George Mason University College Democrats, were made up of students, concerned citizens and local politicians eager to speak and listen. Led by Frank Anderson, co-president of the student group, half a dozen people took turns stepping up to the podium and speaking into a loudspeaker.

“I thought I was in 1965 when I read the newspaper the other day and saw ‘Confederate History Month,’ said Herb Smith, one of the vice chairs on the Fairfax democratic committee. “How can that not be [seen] as offensive to African Americans? How can that not be offensive to ALL Americans?”

Curious bystanders were encouraged to pick up one the many handmade signs, stating things such as “USA not CSA”, “McDonnell Doesn’t Speak For Me”, and “Bob is Backwards”, with the starred red cross of the Confederate Flag filling in the “o” in Bob. 

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, who recently gained attention on campus for his controversial letter regarding nondiscrimination policy at state universities, was also received mention.  

Six people spoke. The rest of the group, four people, held the signs. At the peak of the protest's reception about 25 people were standing and watching.