Man arrested in attempt to take down Confederate flag along interstate, deputies say

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WHNS/Gray News) - Authorities in South Carolina said a man was arrested after he drove from Atlanta to lower the confederate flag along Interstate 85 south in Spartanburg County.

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

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

There are “No trespassing” signs located on the fence where he climbed. 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, officials said.

In 2022, Spartanburg County officials called for the removal of the flagpole, saying 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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