'White History Month' Float Stirs Controversy At July 4th Parade

'White History Month' Float Stirs Controversy At July 4th Parade

A small North Carolina town's Fourth of July parade was mired in controversy after a float touting "White History Month" drew a number of complaints from parade attendees.

The Fayetteville Observer reported Saturday that Hope Mills, N.C. parade included a float attached to a John Deere tractor, driven by local farmer Donnie Spell. The float included a large wagon filled with watermelons, and featured a sign that read "White History Month. Hug WTE PPL." A Confederate flag was also attached to the tractor.

"This should be over, all that stuff should be over," Hope Mills resident Suzanne Singletary told ABC11. "I don't understand why people are still living like this."

white history month float

(Photo credit: WNCN)

ABC11 reports that Spell applied for and received a permit to participate in the parade. However, according to town officials, Spell said the sign on his wagon would read "Watermelons for sale."

Hope Mills Mayor Jackie Warner told the Fayetteville Observer she had received a number of complaints about the float, and that the parade's board would review the float application process to prevent similar incidents in the future.

"I believe we've got to make sure we're sensitive to all people's feelings," she said.

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