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Mississippi votes to remove Confederate symbol from flag

The House of Representatives and the Senate of the Mississippi voted sunday 28 june the removal of a Confederate symbol from the flag of that American state, who is the last to keep this reminder of the period of slavery.

The decision comes after a wave of anti-racist demonstrations across the United States has rekindled controversy over the persistence of symbols evoking slavery.

Parliamentarians from Mississippi, a southern state of United States, decided Sunday that a new flag no longer bearing the standard of Confederation should be adopted.

The current flag includes the standard – red background, blue cross diagonally with small white stars – which represented the Southern States, opposed to the abolition of slavery, during the American Civil War (1861-1865).

New flag in November

The removal of the emblem was approved Sunday by the Mississippi House of Representatives by a majority of 91 votes to 23. The vote sparked clamors of approval in the public gallery.

Then the Senate in turn approved the provision by 37 votes to 14, and senators celebrated the vote with cheers and hugs.

Mississippi is the only state to have the southern emblem on its flag since neighboring Georgia abandoned it in 2003.

Law passed Sunday calls for nine-member commission to design new flag to include phrase « In God We Trust », the American currency.

Mississippi citizens will have to vote on the new flag in November. If they reject it, the state will not have a flag until a new design has been approved.

” A big step “

Mississippi Democrat Senator John Horhn said changing the flag alone would not dissipate the effects of the racist past in the southern United States.

“But it is a great step on the way to the recognition of humanity and of the value given by God to every person”, did he declare.

Governor Tate Reeves, who was not in favor of the flag debate, said on Saturday that he would not use his veto and would pass the law if it was passed.

The issue of racial discrimination has been the subject of particularly heated debate in the United States since the death in May of George Floyd, an African-American who died after being asphyxiated during his arrest by a white police officer in Minneapolis.

His death sparked protests across the United States against excessive police force and racial discrimination. These protests have often resulted in riots that have resulted in deaths and looting.

Destruction of statues of leaders of the Confederation

The movement also resulted in the degradation or destruction of statues of leaders of the Confederation and other historical figures accused of links with the racism or slavery.

In 2001, Mississippi voted overwhelmingly for the conservation of its current flag, considered by its supporters to be a symbol of the historic heritage of the southern United States. But in the context of recent protests, the debate has been rekindled strongly in the state.

A black parliamentarian, Edward Blackmon, pointed this out to his colleagues during the debate on Saturday, referring to the flag fluttering on the building of the House of Representatives in Jackson, the state capital.

“I imagine that many of us do not even see this flag anymore”, more “Some of us notice it every time we enter here, and it’s not a pleasant feeling”, did he declare.

“Symbol of terror”

The movement to change the flag had gained momentum in several sectors of society in the past week.

Kylin Hill, a star player on the Mississippi State University football team, tweeted: “Change the flag or I will no longer represent this state”. ” I mean seriously “, said Hill, an African American. ” I have enough “.

The next day, the powerful association of Mississippi Baptist Churches called for the flag to be changed. Then other associations from various economic sectors, as well as officials from the sports world, joined the movement.

“I understand that many see the current flag as a symbol of southern heritage and pride”, tweeted Faith Hill, a country music star. “But we have to understand that this flag is a symbol of terror for our black brothers and sisters”.

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