In a statement made Tuesday, NASCAR announced it is banning the display of the Confederate flag at all of the sport’s events, according to ABC News.
What We Know:
- “The presence of the confederate flag at NASCAR events runs contrary to our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all fans, our competitors and our industry,” NASCAR’s statement read.
- The decision comes just one day after Bubba Wallace, the only black driver in the Cup Series (NASCAR’s highest level), called on the league to remove the flags. Wallace raced Wednesday in a “Black Lives Matter” themed car, stating, “running this race car, being on live television — I think it’s going to speak volumes for what I stand for, but also what the initiative that NASCAR, the whole sport, is trying to push.”
- The Confederate flag, used by the Confederacy after seceding from the Union in 1861 in an effort to uphold slavery, has a history of being flown at NASCAR events. Though the sport has reached national popularity, it has always been rooted in the south.
- The White House had no comment on NASCAR’s decision to ban the flag. President Trump attended the Daytona 500 in February and said Wednesday he would “not even consider” renaming military bases named after Confederate leaders.
NASCAR’s move comes as calls for systematic change have lead to nation wide protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis police officer.
