Mississippians voted overwhelmingly for a new state flag design today with the Associated Press reporting nearly 70 percent of voters casting ballots in support of the referendum at this hour.
The flag on the ballot was approved by the Mississippi Flag Commission after reviewing nearly 3,000 submissions in July and August. The red, navy blue and gold flag with the magnolia in the center is encircled with “In God We Trust.” The commission was part of the resolution passed in June by the Mississippi legislature.
Some lawmakers began informally discussing taking down the flag in the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in May, while in police custody. Protests erupted across the country including in Mississippi. The Legislative Black Caucus called on all lawmakers to support removing the flag saying it represents the state’s slavery and Jim Crow past.
Legislators argued the state is changing and Mississippi should retire the flag and select one that everyone can embrace. Some also expressed concern about the state’s economic outlook saying the state has lost bids to bring companies to Mississippi because of the emotions evoked by the state flag.
Some Republican legislators said their constituents wanted the issue to be on the November ballot so Mississippians could vote on the issue. Critics complained that Blacks are 38 percent of the state’s population and there wouldn’t be enough votes to pass a referendum.
Influential business and interfaith leaders, religious, educational and sports organizations called on the legislature to drop the Confederate symbol. Still, supporters of the flag said the banner represents their heritage and shouldn’t be changed.
In 2001, a referendum to remove the Mississippi state flag was placed on the ballot. The majority of Mississipians voted to keep the flag flying. Over the years cities and towns in the state such as Tupelo, Columbus and Hattiesburg stopped flying the state flag with the confederate emblem. All the state’s public universities stopped flying the flag as well.
Supporters for a new flag say it’s time to put Mississippi’s past behind the state, so everyone can move forward.