JACKSON, Miss. — State leaders are set to remove the Confederate battle emblem from the Mississippi state flag, the last in the country with the divisive imagery.
The Rebel-themed Mississippi state flag, pushed through by a white supremacists-led Legislature in 1894 as backlash to growing political power African Americans gained after the Civil War, lacked official status, the state Supreme Court said in 2000. When state laws were updated in 1906, the portions dealing with the state flag were not carried forward, the court ruled. However, voters approved keeping the flag during a 2001 election.
Legislators met Saturday and voted to suspend legislative deadlines so a flag bill could be filed. A commission would design a new flag that would not include the Confederate symbol. The flag must include the phrase "In God We Trust."
"This is such a metamorphosis," Sen. David Jordan, who is Black, said. Jordan has pushed to change the flag for decades.
Gov. Tate Reeves said he would sign a flag bill if sent to him, the Clarion Ledger reported.
The legislature has been deadlocked for days as it considers a new state flag. The argument over the 1894 flag has become as divisive as the flag itself and it’s time to end it.
— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) June 27, 2020
If they send me a bill this weekend, I will sign it. pic.twitter.com/bf3vyzuObt
Former Gov. Phil Bryant showed his support for a flag that included the state seal.
I was proud as Governor to add “In God We Trust” to the State Seal with @tatereeves and @PhilipGunnMS. It will make a great Mississippi State Flag. pic.twitter.com/HNbVRiOxoT
— Phil Bryant (@PhilBryantMS) June 25, 2020
A new design without the Confederate symbol will be put on the Nov. 3 ballot for a statewide vote. If a majority of voters approve, it will become the state flag. Otherwise, the commission will have to design another flag to be voted on.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
