Mt. Olive Pickles has ended its participation in the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C., after a Confederate flag displayed inside North Carolina’s exhibition booth triggered public criticism.
The controversy began after photos of the booth appeared online Friday. The display was managed by private sponsors rather than the State of North Carolina, according to officials.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein criticized the exhibit and called for a message of national unity. He said, “This flag does not represent the North Carolina we love. America250 is about unity and bringing our nation together.”
Stein’s office later told WRAL News that the Confederate flag had been removed from the booth following the backlash.
Mt. Olive Pickles, which became one of the booth’s sponsors after the state chose not to sponsor the exhibit, said it was unaware the Confederate flag appeared in a video shown as part of the display. The company announced its decision to withdraw after images from the booth circulated online.
“We were unaware that an image of the Confederate flag was included in a video as part of this exhibit, and we have withdrawn our participation,” the company wrote on X. “Our company stands on values of human dignity, opportunity and Freedom.”
The Great American State Fair is sponsored by Freedom 250, an organization established by President Donald Trump to oversee the administration’s official events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States.
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