SUFFOLK -- A Suffolk group is protesting that the city mayor didn't proclaim April as Confederate History and Heritage Month.

Each year, the Tom Smith Camp Sons of Confederate Veterans asks the city mayor to make the proclamation, and it's caused controversy in the past because some people consider it divisive.

The group has had varied success. In 2002, former Mayor Curtis Milteer, who is black, signed the proclamation, but in 2003 and 2004, former Mayor E. Dana Dickens III refused.

Former Mayor Bobby Ralph made the designation in 2005 after making changes that noted "these brave soldiers of southeastern Virginia of all races and religions," but in 2006, he said no.

Mayor Linda Johnson said no last year. She says she was preoccupied by the city's tornado recovery and forgot to reply this year. But she says she would have refused again.

-- From Staff and Wire reports