Man drives from Atlanta to lower confederate flag along I-85 in Spartanburg Co., deputies say

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – The Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office said a man was arrested after he drove from Atlanta to Spartanburg County to lower the confederate flag along I-85 south.

Deputies were called to a property on Teaberry Road on Saturday, July 13, around 10:30 p.m. after a suspect later identified as James Daniel Blitch climbed the property’s fence.

According to officials, Blitch informed deputies he was going to lower the flag because he did not agree with it being raised. Deputies said he was able to get to the fence by climbing up a tree. Blitch also had multiple tools including a Dremel and drill bits, officials said.

Officials said there are no trespassing signs located on the fence where he climbed over. Blitch was booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center on two counts of trespassing.

Another vandalism attempt happened to the same confederate flag on Friday, July 12, officials said.

Back in 2022, Spartanburg County officials were calling for the removal of the flagpole stating that it is violation of the county’s land use ordinances.

In 2023, the Board of Zoning Appeals met and voted in favor of the property owner’s to keep their flag and pole raised.

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