By midnight the Associated Press reported more than 71 percent of Mississippians voted yes to a new state flag design. The new one replaces the controversial state flag with the confederate emblem, the legislature retired in June. Critics of the the retired flag said it was a constant reminder of Mississippi’s slavery and Jim Crow past and should be changed. Former legislator Jarvis Dortch is with the American Civil Liberties Union.
“The flag change is symbolic but it shows that Democrats, Republicans, Black and White folks in this state, we can sit down and talk about big issues and actually come to an agreement,” said Dortch.
Mississippi’s Third District Congressman Republican Michael Guest easily won reelection. He’s pleased with the outcome of the vote.
“I think that it’s been a long time coming. I think that the Mississippi voters now will have spoken. I hope that we can put the flag issue behind us and that we can hopefully continue to move forward,” said Guest.
Scott Waller with the Mississippi economic council says the old flag prevented the state from being considered for economic development projects. He’s grateful voters supported the change.
“It really is gratifying to know so many people have worked so hard to make this happen and to finally see it happen it’s a great feeling and I really feel like we’re positioning ourselves in this state to do great things in the future,” said Waller.
Supporters of changing the flag say it will put the state on a path to racial healing by having an emblem all Mississippians can appreciate.
