Zoo officials remove carousel horse with Confederate flag (MI)

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Posted: Jul 30, 2015 9:17 PM EDT
Updated: Jul 30, 2015 9:17 PM EDT
Posted By Lauren Chapman
By Gino Vicci, WNEM TV5 Reporter

... at the Saginaw children's zoo, some complaints came in about a horse on the carousel, which was painted years ago to depict history.

Many argue, it's just an image of history – what’s the big deal? Well for some, this is a symbol of hatred and racism. And officials from the zoo say they are not a museum and are not obligated to display items that depict history, especially is those depictions offend some of its clients.

"The carousel is all based on history. If you look at the running boards, all that, it's all Saginaw history. But we're not a museum, we're a zoo, and we really are a community place, and we really are a public place. So we really want the community to come in here and be comfortable. It's very different than being in a museum."

This is actually going to be a quick fix: the horse with the confederate flag on it will simply be repainted.

http://www.wnem.com/story/29675390/zoo-officials-remove-carousel-horse-with-confederate-flag

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1. ... Carousel riders will now find a zebra in the horse's place ...

Carousel horse bearing a confederate flag removed at the Saginaw Children's Zoo
by NBC25 Newsroom
Posted: 2 hrs, 47 mins ago
http://www.minbcnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=1237858#.VbwigDD48mI

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2. Man who carved controversial carousel horse bearing Confederate flag 'hurt' by decision

Posted: Jul 31, 2015 7:04 PM EDT
Updated: Jul 31, 2015 7:04 PM EDT
Posted By Lauren Chapman
By James Felton

...Willis spent four months sculpting the horse. He's an avid Confederate flag supporter and said he can't believe all his hard work is being swept under the rug.

"I fly the confederate flag two days a year. Because of Flag Day and it's an American flag. And I don't see any race on it. There are those who do but I think they may be racist," Willis said.

But Nancy Parker, the zoo's executive director, said she's heard an earful from the community, receiving dozens of calls about the controversial horse.

"The flag is of concern. That it was much a symbol of hurt and of people that were harmed," Parker said ...

http://www.wnem.com/story/29684025/man-who-carved-controversial-carousel-horse-bearing-confederate-flag-hurt-by-decision-to-remove

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3. Zoo visitors debate issue

Posted: Jul 31, 2015 4:47 PM EDT
Updated: Jul 31, 2015 5:19 PM EDT
Posted By Lauren Chapman
By James Felton

... At first the zoo planned to repaint the horse, covering the flag. But after hearing requests to preserve it, the Confederate military pony now sits locked away in storage. Zoo officials are trying to figure out what to do with it.

Parker said she's already gotten calls of interest from a Confederate horse museum in Mississippi. It's too early to know where this horse will end up. But one thing is certain: its days as part of this carousel ride are over.

"We are a public facility. And we really don't want to do things that cause any group harm, any group discomfort," Parker said ...

http://www.wnem.com/story/29682820/confederate-carousel-pony-removed-future-unknown