Members in both chambers are now focusing on finalizing finance and appropriation legislation as the session is expected to end this week. But when asked about their feelings after what many are calling a historic weekend, there were mixed responses.
“I’m very pleased,” said Democratic state Rep. Ed Blackmon of Canton.
“Happy that we finally reached a point where we can take action to officially remove the flag,” he said. “But on the flipside, it took twenty years.”
Blackmon served on the 17-member commission back in 2000 appointed by then - Democratic Governor Ronnie Musgrove - to study flag design and make recommendations for a new state banner. In 2001, a majority of Mississippi voters decided to keep the flag featuring the Confederate battle emblem.
“So that tells you that change - when it comes to issues of race in this state - it takes a while. And that’s unfortunate.”
Republican Senator Melanie Sojourner of Natchez says she voted against the legislature pushing the flag bill forward for reasons she believes is taking away the people’s voice. But at this point, Sojourner says she and her colleagues are just ready to move forward.
“Regardless of what side of the issue you were on, we’re having conversations, everybody’s being nice to each other and getting along,” she said.
“I really think at this point we’re just anxious to focus on the work at hand and move forward.”
Minority House Leader Democrat Robert Johnson of Natchez says he became emotional when lawmakers advanced the flag bill, describing it as a moment of relief. Now, he says he’s ready to focus on more opportunities to affect change in people’s lives.
“Now we can start working on Medicaid expansion, working on improving our schools in poor areas… We got 2500 to 3,000 people that ought to be at home that are locked in prison for nonviolent offenses that they shouldn’t be in prison for,” said Johnson.
“Let’s work on all of it... let’s work on things that change the people’s lives.”
Mississippi is the last state with a flag featuring the Confederate battle emblem. Governor Tate Reeves is expected to sign the flag bill in the coming days.
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