Businesses and residents react differently on confederate flag decision in SC

It’s an end of an era in South Carolina as governor Nikki Haley signed a bill on Thursday afternoon to remove the confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse grounds. But differing opinions loom in the Coachella Valley on the decision, as one business and one resident are taking opposite steps.

The Palm Canyon Roadhouse in Palm Springs plans to remove all confederate memorabilia by the same Friday timeframe where South Carolina plans to remove their confederate flag. The business said in earlier interviews two weeks ago that they would stand with whatever decision the state of South Carolina made on the issue.

“We’re Lynyrd Skynyrd fans, always will be a Skynyrd fan and that’s the only message here in this bar with that symbol,” said Greg LaRiviere, owner of Palm Canyon Roadhouse. “Sure, there’s some groups that it means other things too, but not for us.”

The flag has different meaning for different people. Some people feel it’s a symbol of hatred and racism. Others, like Cathedral City resident Mike Reinert, said it’s more about being proud of the country lifestyle.

“It’s a redneck thing, you know, Dukes of Hazard thing, we just do what we want to do.” said Reinert. “We’ll sit in the front yard, have a little fire, go four-wheeling… Definitely not a race thing or anything. It’s a fun thing is what it is.”

Reinert raises the rebel flag on a flagpole in his front yard on a regular basis. He’s received numerous letters from neighbors complaining about the flag, but plans to continue to do what he wants on his property. He insists it’s not about a symbol of hate or being racist. To Reinert, he just wants to celebrate being a redneck.

“I mean, we’ve got too many, too many different problems going on in the world right now to be worried about a flag and what should be flown and not flown,” explained Reinert. “It’s a flag, c’mon guys get over it. It’s a flag. [I] may even get a Japanese flag next week, who knows. I don’t know.”

LaRiviere agreed that the confederate flag is a hot topic, but like anything else it will fade with time.

“It’s pretty topical right now, it’s one of those things,” said LaRiviere. “It’s in the news pretty intense right now… a month from now everybody will forget about it, honestly.”