Soon after the 2021 legislative session gaveled in, members of the Mississippi House voted 119-1 to formally adopt a new state flag with a magnolia and the phrase "In God We Trust." It will replace a Confederate-themed flag legislators voted to remove six months ago. Nearly 75% of voters in the state approved the new flag in November, but legislators still have to put the design into state law.
"Today we're simply ratifying and putting into law what the people of the state of Mississippi said that they wanted," said House Speaker Philip Gunn.
"And so it is a very meaningful day. It's a very historic day. We're excited to be able to do this and I expect full support for this."
Democrat Minority House Leader Robert Johnson of Natchez calls this moment "a victory."
"It felt like voices are being heard... that they've been heard and that receptiveness that you've been wanting to happen in the House has resulted in a victory. Not just for people like me and other people who have been advocates for getting rid of the flag, but this is a victory for the state of Mississippi," said Johnson.
Senators are scheduled to finish passing the bill today and Gov. Tate Reeves is expected to sign it into law. After which, the state will officially honor the "In God We Trust" flag with a ceremony to run the new flag up the pole outside of the Capitol in Jackson.
