2 more universities furl Confederate-themed Mississippi flag

Two more Mississippi universities have stopped flying the state's flag featuring the Confederate battle emblem, decisions that drew rebukes from the governor.

Mississippi State University and the Mississippi University for Women confirmed yesterday that they removed the flag from outdoor flagpoles over the summer.

The universities' actions came after state lawmakers failed to act on changing the flag this year.

"The university community supports a flag that unites everyone in the state behind it," said Jim Borsig, president of the Mississippi University for Women.

Delta State University is the only public Mississippi university still flying the flag. A statement from that school yesterday opened the door to removing it if the university cabinet votes to do so.
 

Gov Phil Bryant told reporters yesterday that he disagrees with the universities' decision to remove the flag.

He cited a state law calling for Mississippi's flag to "receive all of the respect and ceremonious etiquette given the American flag" if displayed. The law doesn't require public agencies to fly the flag. K-12 schools are required to, but some ignore it.

"Whether you like the flag or not, the state law calls for it to be treated with equal respect," Bryant said.

In a 2001 referendum, Mississippi voters strongly supported keeping the flag, which has included the Confederate battle emblem in its upper left corner since 1894. But agitation against the flag resumed following the 2015 massacre of nine black worshippers at a church in Charleston, South Carolina. The white suspect in that case posed for photos with Confederate flags.

After the church shooting, Bryant had said he wanted to give voters another chance to decide whether to change Mississippi's flag. He repeated that position yesterday.

"I believe the people have the right to speak on this," he said.