Mississippi’s House of Representatives advanced a resolution that could lead to the removal of the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag.
The lower chamber voted by an 85-34 margin Saturday afternoon to pass the resolution that would suspend House rules so lawmakers can consider legislation that would change or remove the emblem, according to Mississippi Today. This happened immediately after the House Rules Committee approved it.
The Confederate battle emblem has been in the upper left-hand corner of the state flag since it was adopted by lawmakers in 1894.
The resolution says a commission will be put together to redesign the flag and make a recommendation by Sept. 14. Voters would then decide if it should be made official during a special election on Nov. 3. Lawmakers have proposed replacing the Confederate battle flag with the words “In God We Trust.”
If voters reject the proposed design in the election, the commission would then present an alternative during next year’s legislative session. The resolution now heads to the state Senate, where it will require a two-thirds majority to pass. If both chambers pass the suspension resolution, then they can consider legislation to act on the flag.
Gov. Tate Reeves, a Republican, said Saturday he would sign a bill on making changes to the flag if it makes it to his desk.
“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,” he wrote on Facebook. Reeves previously insisted that changes to the flag should be decided in a vote by Mississippians.
Monuments, flags, and other items with ties to the Confederacy or slavery have come under increased scrutiny in recent weeks amid nationwide protests seeking racial equality and an end to police brutality.
Statues of Confederate leaders have been taken down, either by local governments or by protesters, and Congress has removed portraits honoring House speakers who were part of the Confederate government in recent weeks.
