RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ A Southern heritage group that is fighting to keep the Confederate battle flag on Virginia license plates is holding its annual convention in the former capital of the Confederacy. The Sons of Confederate Veterans began its five-day convention this week in suburban Richmond. The 120th gathering is expected to attract hundreds of members, and possibly some protests. A reception is planned at the White House of the Confederacy. The SCV announced last week it would go to court to keep the confederate flag on Virginia plates. A court hearing is scheduled later this month. Gov. Terry McAuliffe moved to have the flag banished from state plates last month, following the slayings of nine African-Americans in a Charleston, South Carolina, church. McAuliffe called the flag’s image divisive.
