Pensacola Christian College will not allow a student who went to Charlottesville, Virginia carrying a Confederate Flag to complete his Senior year.
Allen Armentrout, a native of North Carolina, drove to Charlottesville the week after the “Unite the Right” and related counter-protests turned violent. Counter-protester Heather Heyer died from her injuries after a car plowed into a crowd of pedestrians on a Charlottesville street.
Armentrout donned a replica 19th-century uniform, strapped a rifle over his shoulder, and held a Confederate flag while he saluted the statue of Robert E Lee that stands at the center of the controversy in the college town. His actions quickly drew a crowd who protested his actions. The crowd can be heard chanting “Terrorist go home” and “Racist go home” while he stands at attention while saluting the statue. One angry Charlottesville resident stood in front of him with both middle fingers raised for half an hour.
Armentrout says that he is not a racist and made the trip because he wanted people to know the “true history” of the Civil War. He said that the men who fought for the confederacy were not racists and were not fighting to preserve slavery.
He told a local news station of his removal from Pensacola Christian. “I have been released from my school and will be unable to return to college to finish my senior year. I’m processing this and making adjustments to my life to compensate for this scrutiny.”
Pensacola Christian said they do not comment on cases involving individual students, but did release a general statement. “Pensacola Christian College recognizes the dignity and value of all people, and we respect the history of America. We encourage individuals to exercise discernment and seek to build reconciliation, especially during a time of mourning like Charlottesville is experiencing.”
Armentrout disagrees with the school’s decision and believes they should have stood up for him instead. "I believe a Christian institution should support patriotic individuals who want to stand for American tradition and beliefs. It really hurts me a lot when you try to do what's right and you get attacked.”
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/Phillip Petrovic
Publication date: August 23, 2017
