When Camping World Chairman and CEO Marcus Lemonis sets his mind to anything, you can expect him to succeed. As an orphaned Lebanese who was adopted by a couple in Florida, he understands what it takes to achieve the American dream.
Lemonis, thankful for the freedoms and possibilities provided by the United States, is giving back to his nation in a variety of ways, including by participating in the CNBC program The Profit, which supports small firms on the edge of bankruptcy. But when he chose to raise an American flag on corporate property to demonstrate his patriotism, he was quickly exposed to governmental overreach.
The city of Statesville, North Carolina, decided to order Lemonis to remove the 40-foot-by-80-foot American flag that waves on a 130-foot-high pole outside his RV dealership, alleging a size violation of a local rule that allows for flags no larger than 25 feet by 40 feet. Rather than destroying Old Glory, Lemonis had a better plan.
Despite a lawsuit and penalties totaling more than $10,000, Lemonis stunned the city by flying the giant American flag high over the skyline once again. Despite the city’s efforts to compel him to remove the patriotic exhibit, Lemonis has assured them that the flag would remain, promising to battle the unconstitutional prohibition.
Lemonis has shown his commitment to the cause by hiring lawyers to fight the city’s lawsuit and amend the flag-size legislation. They say that the US and state constitutions make it clear that the government can’t put limits on how the city can fly the flag that are arbitrary or don’t make sense. Lemonis and his legal team are invoking his freedom to fly an American flag of whatever size on his land since his flag isn’t a safety threat.
The city is proposing a $50 per day fee, which would be retroactive. Because the flag was initially erected months ago, Lemonis may be obligated to pay the city more than $10,000. Yet he refuses to budge and has even suggested a revision to the ordinance.
The City of Statesville, North Carolina has filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction to require Gander RV in Statesville,…
Posted by Camping World on Saturday, 18 May 2019
Lemonis uploaded a video of the big flag flying above the RV park on Twitter, demonstrating his passion and unwavering stance. The video was merely captioned “Nothing more to say… “, meaning that no one could compel him to withdraw the banner.
Lemonis has been firm on the matter. He stressed that it’s not so much about the flag as it is about his rights as an American citizen. He also used social media to talk about why he always goes against what the city says.
Thus far, the mayor has made no move to collect Lemonis’ penalties. The city, on the other hand, is justifying its decision to require him to remove the flag, claiming that he should do so merely because it’s the law.
Many people support Lemonis’ effort to exercise his freedom to fly as big an American flag as he deems proper. While he awaits the court’s judgement, he says that no matter what, he will not remove our national sign.
