01 Jul MCJ Hails Removal of Confederate Emblem from State Flag

JACKSON, Mississippi – Today, Gov. Tate Reeves signed a bipartisan bill that will remove the Confederate emblem from the state flag. For the first time since 1894, Mississippi will have a new flag.

Vangela M. Wade, the President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Justice, a non-profit law firm focused on civil rights advocacy and litigation, hailed the final approval of the legislation and the leaders courageous enough to move this state forward.

“For decades, our state has been represented by a symbol that celebrates the degradation and brutalization of Black people. It has taken far too long, but our flag will finally be free of this heinous symbol of hatred and oppression,” Wade said.

“This is certainly cause for celebration. We thank our lawmakers for making this change possible,” Wade added. “But racial and economic discrimination is still pervasive across Mississippi.  Our leaders must take courageous action to address the laws and policies regulating Mississippi to the top of every list of social determinants negatively impacting the lives of all Mississippians. Removing the flag must be followed by ensuring health care, education, and economic opportunity for the marginalized and poor of this state. MCJ will continue its fight to dismantle these systems of oppression, but now under a state flag that is no longer evidence of hate and brutality or that overtly champions racist ideals.

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Mississippi Center for Justice is a nonprofit, public interest law firm committed to advancing racial and economic justice. Supported and staffed by attorneys and other professionals, the Center develops and pursues strategies to combat discrimination and poverty statewide.