Mississippi lawmakers voted Sunday to change the state flag, removing an image with ties to the Confederacy.
According to a report from the Associated Press, the measure passed both the House and the Senate in rapid succession, and garnered broad bipartisan support. (RELATED: Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves Says He’ll Sign A Bill To Change The State Flag If One Reaches His Desk)
BREAKING: Mississippi legislators vote to remove controversial Confederate emblem from state flag. https://t.co/w3gjfSXWPm
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 28, 2020
The flag came under renewed scrutiny as protesters have recently called for the removal of Confederate symbols and statues nationwide — some toppling or vandalizing those statues themselves.
Mississippi State University running back Kylin Hill went so far as to threaten to sit out the upcoming season if the flag was not changed.
Mississippi State Star Kylin Hill Will Sit Out Season If State Doesn’t Change Flaghttps://t.co/uTHnmCRG2N
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 23, 2020
“Either change the flag or I won’t be representing this State anymore & I meant that .. I’m tired,” Hill tweeted.
Either change the flag or I won’t be representing this State anymore ???? & I meant that .. I’m tired https://t.co/IzizpWLoIg
Anthony Hervey stands in the town square waving his Mississippi state flag. PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP via Getty Images
— Kylin Hill (@H_Kylin) June 22, 2020
Republican Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves said Saturday that he was ready to sign a bill to change the flag.
“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. If they send me a bill this weekend, I will sign it,” Reeves tweeted.
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.
If they send me a bill this weekend, I will sign it. pic.twitter.com/bf3vyzuObt— Tate Reeves (@tatereeves) June 27, 2020