SAN ANTONIO – They were not part of the official ceremony but they were impossible to ignore.
Several large Confederate flags carried by men wearing Confederacy-era uniforms stood in the background as county officials marked the removal of an addition to the Bexar County Courthouse.
The additions, made in 1963 and 1972, were added to create additional space at the courthouse. Many considered them an eyesore. Their removal has restored the courthouse façade to the historic building's original appearance.
The men wearing Confederate uniforms and waving flags said they were there to express their disappointment in plans outlined by County Judge Nelson Wolff to remove any Confederate flag symbols from county property.
"We all have a history," said John McCammon, a member of the Sons of the Confederacy. "But if we try to erase the history, we're trying to change history."
After the ceremony, members of the group met informally with Wolff.
"They came and stated their concerns and I told them that we would have a hearing on July 22 and that we would send them advance notice of the proposed changes," Wolff said.