'This is about our veterans': RV dealership refuses to take down American flag despite fines

STATESVILLE, N.C. - A recreational vehicle company called Camping World has started an online petition protesting a city ordinance in North Carolina that is attempting to force the removal of an enormous American flag flying outside one of the RV dealership's lots.  

According to the city of Statesville, City Attorney Leah Messick filed an injunction against the company on May 7 aimed at removing the 40-foot by 80-foot U.S. flag because its size violates a city ordinance.

Camping World posted about the dispute on their Facebook page, rallying the local community to sign a petition against the city's attempted removal of the flag. According to Camping World's Facebook post, the city is imposing a $50 per day fine for every day the flag remains flying, retroactive to Oct. 15 of 2018.

The company said it displays the large flag to honor military veterans. 

“This is about more than just the flag. This is about our Veterans, Military, and the men and women that have sacrificed for this great country,” the Facebook post reads. 

The city of Statesville said in a statement that the size of the flag is too big and that it goes against an original approved permit to display a smaller sized flag.

“It was determined the company was flying a 40x80-foot flag, which is prohibited by City ordinance,” the statement reads.

As of Wednesday, the RV dealer's petition had nearly reached its goal of 150,000 signatures, with more than 145,000 gathered.