RICHMOND — (WMAL) To Frank Earnest, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe is an outsider.

“The governor has no understanding, nor does he care how we true Virginians feel about our history and heritage,” says Earnest, past Commander of the Virginia Sons of Confederate Veterans. Earnest and his brethern are upset with McAuliffe’s call to revoke all license plates that bear the image of the confederate battle flag.

“They’re a way for us to show our pride in our confederate ancestors,” he tells WMAL.

The Confederate flag has long been a divisive symbol, particularly in the South. For many African-Americans, the stars and bars are a symbol of hate and oppression. But Earnest says his group denounces anyone who would use the flag to dishonor others.

“The very people who talk about diversity and understanding of other cultures and other people… How ironic and how hypocritical that they have no desire to understand us or allow us to have our rights,” says Earnest.

The Confederacy is not winning fans in any quarter this week. Many major retailers, including Amazon, Walmart and Sears, have announced they will no longer sell any merchandise with confederate images on it. And Maryland Governor Larry Hogan says the Free State will follow Virginia’s lead and also strip the confederate flag image from its license plates.

Copyright 2015 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: Virginia DMV)