CIC Ron Wilson confirmed his intention to purge the Sons of Confederate Veterans of opposition to his policies during the North Carolina Division Executive Council meeting on February 15^th. Wilson stated flatly that the seven camps he suspended in January will remain on suspension until they disavow their support for Save the SCV. To be considered for the lifting of suspensions, the camps must elect new commanders to replace those who support SSCV. CIC Wilson reinstated an eighth camp in Thomasville, N.C. when the incoming commander denounced SSCV.

When asked why he suspended all 108 members of the Greensboro camp when only camp commander Gilbert Jones and four others had publicly endorsed SSCV, Mr. Wilson pointed at Jones and said, "because of you." When pressed for specific reasons for the other camp suspensions, the removal of four brigade commanders and the firing of two state SCV officials, all of whom had endorsed SSCV, Wilson said that he took those actions because, "I have the authority to do so." He also stated that SSCV opposition "is detrimental to the SCV."

A district court judge’s civil restraining order, that would have temporarily prevented the suspensions from being enforced, was served on Division Commander Brian Carawan immediately prior to the meeting. The order was defied by both Carawan and CIC Wilson. (The Stokes county camp has decided not to pursue a court remedy to their suspension pointing to the fact that Wilson seems willing to spend any amount of money to suppress opposition within the SCV while the Stokes camp has limited resources.)

CIC Wilson is concerned that the Save the SCV movement will gain momentum before the Asheville, N.C. convention next August. SSCV supporters have publicly stated that they intend to introduce a series of resolutions at Asheville, and will offer candidates to oppose the Ron Wilson/Kirk Lyons faction in the 2004 election. CIC Wilson and Lyons may also be concerned about having a close election in 2004. In 2002 Kirk Lyons lost a close election for ANV Commander to the now suspended Charles Hawks, by only a few votes.

The meeting was punctuated by heated exchanges between CIC Wilson and several SSCV supporters. At one point during the question and answer period, Wilson told the membership that he would continue to remove from the organization those who oppose his policies. When asked to repeat the statement, Wilson made a brief response on an unrelated topic.

Several members, notably those from the anti-U.S. government Ross SCV Camp (Charlotte, N.C.) held-up signs printed with, "Liar, Liar" each time an SSCV supporter spoke. Their camp commander, Terry Crayton, shredded SSCV brochures and fact sheets that were distributed during the meeting. Finally, Commander Carawan had to remind Mr. Crayton and his delegation to conduct themselves with proper decorum. Many of these same individuals stood, but refused to recite the pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag during opening ceremonies. The Ross camp is one of numerous SCV camps that have excluded the pledge and U.S. flag from their monthly meetings. These are the people that CIC Wilson wants to remain in the SCV.

Many of the SCV members who crowded into the standing-room-only meeting realized from Ron Wilson’s remarks that the pro-League of the South/Council of Conservative Citizens SCV faction represented by Wilson and Kirk Lyons has every intention of maintaining its hold on the SCV by whatever means necessary. While suspending SSCV supporters, CIC Wilson has allowed League of the South and Council of Conservative Citizens members to remain active in SCV leadership positions.

SSCV supporters charged that voting against the Wilson-Lyons faction in the next election will apparently not be an option. They pointed to the fact that as soon as camps or individuals publicly oppose Wilson, he deprives them of their right to vote by suspending them.

With the founding of Save the SCV, North Carolina is the first division to organize significant opposition to CIC Wilson’s policies. Most camps and individuals who have publicly aligned themselves with SSCV have been suspended or removed from office. Several long-time SCV members have pointed-out that CIC Wilson’s suppression of legal opposition within the organization is a violation of the SCV’s constitution.

During the meeting, the suspended camps were excluded from the roll-call of camps, were not listed in the N.C. Division 2003 manual, and were excluded from the voting portion of the proceedings. Suspended brigade commanders and the two division officers that Commander Carawan fired were prevented from making their final reports to the membership.

As a result of being denied participation in the SCV’s election process, several of the suspended camps and individuals are exploring a variety of other options. SSCV will report on these activities as is appropriate.