Congresswoman Hahn Calls on Los Angeles to Halt Sales of Confederate Memorabilia at Museum

Press Release

Congresswoman Janice Hahn (CA-44) sent a letter today to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Councilmember Joe Buscaino, asking them to take steps to stop sales of items that include the Confederate battle flag and related imagery at the gift shop of the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum in Wilmington.

The museum is a facility of the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks and the State of California Department of Parks and Recreation which teaches the history of the Civil War, with an emphasis on California's role in the conflict, and displays authentic Civil War memorabilia.

Congresswoman Hahn said, "It is important and understandable to have Confederate flags displayed in a museum for educational purposes. However...I think it is appropriate and right that we no longer sell Confederate battle flag memorabilia in our museum in the city of Los Angeles."

The full text of Congresswoman Hahn's letter follows:

The tragic murder of nine people, including Senator Pinckney, attending bible study at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston sparked conversations across the nation about race and bigotry. The killer -- motivated by racism -- had pictures of himself with the Confederate battle flag. As a nation, we had to confront the meaning of this flag, which is a symbol of racism, hatred, and oppression.

Just yesterday, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley signed a bill to take down the Confederate battle flag from the state capitol, where it has flown for 50 years. Today, it was finally taken down.

This week in the U.S. House of Representatives, we approved amendments to remove the Confederate battle flag and refrain from selling it at our National Parks and federal cemeteries. I have also joined my colleagues in a new effort to remove the Confederate battle flag from places in the U.S. Capitol.

Many major retailers -- such as Amazon and Sears -- have stopped selling the Confederate battle flag.

Turning closer to home, we have the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum in Wilmington. Many people are surprised that California has a direct connection to the Civil War. The Drum Barracks served as the Union Army headquarters for Southern California and the Arizona Territory. The museum is an important part of our region's history.

It is important and understandable to have Confederate flags displayed in a museum for educational purposes. However, as South Carolina took down the flag today in the spirit of reconciliation, I think it is appropriate and right that we no longer sell Confederate battle flag memorabilia in our museum in the city of Los Angeles.

I urge you both to take steps to end the sale of Confederate battle flag memorabilia at the museum. Thank you for your consideration.

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