The Marion County Republican party has been drawing criticism from its 4th of July parade entry in Pella and Pleasantville that exhibited three Confederate flags.

The truck and wagon are owned by Owen and Linda Golay of Pleasantville. T. Waldman-Williams, Co-chair of the party, says Golay told her the three flags on his truck represented the three Confederate soldiers buried in Marion County. Waldman-Williams says in retrospect, she should have asked Golay to remove the flags because of the negative meaning they have for many. Yet, at the time, she also recognized it is also a matter of free speech, and didn’t make the request. Waldman-Williams adds there were some supportive comments regarding the display of the flags.

Co-chair Ed Bull tells KNIA/KRLS news that the party relies on volunteers to help with the event, and that he was sickened when he saw the flags, and says they do not represent his values or the values of the Republican Party of Marion County. Waldman-Williams says the Golays have resigned from the party Central Committee.