Confederate flag 'Heritage Ride' held in Harnett County

About 25 people met in Erwin to drive more than 30 miles, waving confederate flags from their vehicles and standing up for a symbol they believe has been unfairly targeted.

Matt King, one of the drivers, said he believes the flag symbolizes peace and heritage.

Jordan Walker, an African-American, agrees with King. He said he doesn’t see the flag as a racist symbol.

“I mean, it's heritage,” Walker said. “You’re born into it—it’s history.”

History is what they fear is being furled with recent furor over the Confederate battle flag. Removing it from the South Carolina statehouse grounds, they said, was reckless.

Word spread of the rally on Facebook, and within an hour, the group gained additional followers in their caravan as they headed north on U.S. Highway 301 into Johnston County.

“It bothers me a lot, “Tevin Walker, a Wal-Mart shopper said. “They don’t have to come here in public. They can stay somewhere else like home. We have kids out here. It’s already in the news.”