Marcus Lemonis, CEO and chairman of Camping World, said he’d rather go to jail than yield to city officials trying to get him to reduce the size of an American flag flying on his property.
City officials in Statesville, North Carolina, began fining the company $50/day retroactive back to October of 2018, then issued an injunction “for violating the City’s regulations on displaying flags.”
Officials contend that the flag violates their codes based on its enormity. Camping World’s flag measures 40-by-80 feet, while code dictates that, based on their location, it be no more than 25-by-40 feet.
The company states that the flag is meant as a way to honor military members and veterans. The city asserts that it is a distraction for motorists.
Rather Go To Jail
Lemonis, a reality TV star, has been defiant from the onset, claiming initially that the fine could go higher and higher and he still wouldn’t remove the flag.
“I don’t care if it goes to $500 a day,” he told reporters. “It’s not coming down.”
In an interview with Martha MacCallum earlier this week, Lemonis claimed he’d have to be hauled off to prison before he takes it down or even reduces the size of his flag.
In doing so, he explained why the flag means so much to him and the community around him.
@marcuslemonis @CampingWorld @GanderOutdoors @GanderRV With 4th of July approaching lets be reminded about these beautiful flags that fly at all of these locations around the country and what they truly represent. Have a fun & safe 4th Enjoy ?? pic.twitter.com/VzZJcFrjzm
— MattyRocks Official (@_mattyrocks) July 1, 2019
“When veterans show up at the stores for the flag raisings, and when they come on Saturdays and do their veteran rides, and they weep at the bottom of the flagpole, that’s the conviction that I need to say it’s just not going to come down,” Lemonis insisted. “I would rather go to jail.”
“I’M WILLING TO GO TO JAIL OVER IT”: Camping World CEO paid a visit to Statesville today, addressing the growing controversy over the massive American flag flying over Gander RV. He said bottom line, it’s not coming down.
READ MORE: https://t.co/vAbahhVTlr pic.twitter.com/3Vy8NJehH4
— FOX 46 Charlotte (@FOX46News) May 31, 2019
He adds that by ignoring the court order, city officials are ultimately looking for that conclusion.
“If I don’t take it down I will be in violation of the court order,” said Lemonis. “Ultimately, their reaction is from the city that I will go to jail.”
Imprisoned for having an American flag on your own property. Unbelievable.
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