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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) – The Confederate Railroad country rock band does not have the right to perform at a national fair in Illinois due to the use of the Confederate flag, setting off a firestorm for Southern Illinois fans who believe they are under the thumb of the Chicago liberals of political correctness.
The group was due to appear at the DuQuoin Fair on August 27, but the governor's administration, J.B. Pritzker, canceled the appearance.
"The guiding principle of this administration is that the state of Illinois will not use its resources to promote symbols of racism," said Pritzker spokeswoman Emily Bittner. "The symbols of hatred can not and will not represent the values of Lincoln's country."
The Grammy-nominated group's logo, known for its acoustic ballads such as "Jesus and Mama", and its boisterous anthem, "Trashy Women", feature a steam engine featuring two Confederate Navy Jack Navy Jacks. , whose stars and bars are the most widely recognized symbol of Confederation.
The banner has been attacked in recent years as a racist emblem of slavery and segregation. Supporters say it represents the history and heritage of the South.
The outbreak of DuQuoin, 140 kilometers southeast of St. Louis, revives a centuries-old tear in Illinois, whose southern tip plunges far into the confines of the old Confederation and is home to a more traditional and conservative culture. than the one represented by Chicago Democrat Pritzker. The region regularly creates legislation to make Chicago a separate state.
Joe McKinney, who contacted Confederate Railroad for concerts at his DeSoto family because of the band's popularity, said the group had never used the flag to stir up racial conflict. "It's just their logo. It's just their southern pride, "said McKinney. But McKinney's attempt to reach the group goes beyond symbolism.
"In the southern part of this state, we have to undergo many decisions made in Chicago …," said McKinney. "In addition to trying to bring people what they want, we are also trying to prove a point in northern Illinois: you do not have everything."
Confederate Railroad leader Danny Shirley said in a statement that the news "was very disappointing because we had already played at this fair and liked it". , be no-show.
Shenandoah issued a statement saying it would appear, but added: "This" politically correct "must stop, it is tearing our country apart."
Rep. Terri Bryant, Republican of Murphysboro, said that a Facebook campaign to boycott the fair is misguided. A private festival held 70 years before the state buys it in 1985, the DuQuoin fair is struggling to recover. As well as the largest state fair in Springfield early August, after a two-year budget stalemate and a boycott would prevent non-profit organizations that are organizing major fundraisers, Bryant said.
Bryant met with Pritzker's key collaborators in Chicago about this. Among other things, she pointed out that Snoop Dogg, who appears at the state fair in Springfield, is promoting his latest album, "Make America Crip Again," whose cover features the rapper standing on a body marked by Republican President Donald Trump. first name.
Bryant said that she did not support the Confederate flag, but was trying to limit the government's censorship.
"If you're going to censor the Confederate Railroad because it's shocking people, censor the other artist by portraying a dead president that a lot of people here love."
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