“You’ll be able to see us back tomorrow, and we’ll begin the process of adopting it,” stated Lt. Governor. Delbert Hosemann. “We still have many steps to go. “But the first step on that journey was taken today.” This resolution stated that a commission would be established to redesign the state flag. The new design would be recommended by the commission by Sept. 14 and would then be approved or rejected by voters on Nov. 3. According to the resolution, the design would not include the Confederate flag, but will include the words “In God We Trust” The resolution stated that if voters rejected the design, the commission would present another option at the 2021 legislative session. The path to consideration of a bill has been cleared. However, details can change throughout the legislative process. The bill can be modified at any time to alter the process for replacing the flag, or to force a vote on keeping the current flag. Based on Saturday’s vote regarding the rules suspension resolution it seems that both the Senate and the House have the votes necessary to end the current flag, which has been in use since 1894. Saturday’s House vote approved the resolution suspending the chamber’s rules to allow lawmakers to consider the bill to change and remove the flag. It was immediately put to a vote on the floor and passed 85-35. The change was supported by all Democrats, both independents, and 38 Republicans. This compares to the 35 no votes cast in the caucus. The resolution was presented to the House by Jason White (R-West), House Speaker Pro Tem. Many view the Confederate symbol on the state flag as a symbol for hate, regardless of whether they like it or not. It is a fact that cannot be ignored. The discussion went on before the resolution was put to a vote in the House. Members listened carefully and some even recorded the conversation on their phones. Many Mississippians, who tried unsuccessfully to view the historic vote from the House gallery, sat in the Capitol hallways and watched live streams via their smartphones. The building erupted in cheers and applause as the House voted. Rep. Ed Blackmon (D-Canton) spoke about his experience on the flag commission in 2001 and how it turned out to be “not an exploration of ideas but an expression hurt and hatred, divisiveness, and racial conflict.” “Some of us notice it every single time we come in here, and it isn’t a good feeling…. It should be something that fills you with pride, so it’s not just about some people.” The Senate passed the same resolution through its Rules committee, and then on the Senate floor. All 16 Senate Democrats voted in favor of the resolution to alter the banner. Twenty of the 36 Senate Republicans voted in favor of the resolution, while fourteen voted against it and two others did not vote. Senator Briggs Hopson (R-Vicksburg), explained the resolution to the floor after his father’s funeral. He said that the state was at crossroads and that many people believed the flag was part of the state’s history. He said that “I believe for this state’s future the best thing to do is change the flag.” Chris McDaniel (R-Ellisville), assured reporters and thousands of his social media followers that he had secured enough Senate votes in the days leading to the vote to defeat the resolution. McDaniel spoke several minutes against the resolution on the Senate floor shortly before the majority of the senators he believed he had won over voted for it to be passed. McDaniel stated, “People will paint me as an awful human being.” McDaniel stated that the only thing I want is for the people to decide the issue for themselves. After Saturday’s vote, Sen. David Jordan (D-Greenwood), a veteran of Civil Rights, approached a group members at the Senate’s well. Jordan stated, “I never imagined I would see it.” “It’s very different from 2001.” Senator Barbara Blackmon, D.Canton, and Senator Hillman Frazier (D-Jackson) spoke for the resolution from the floor. Blackmon compared Saturday’s vote with historic moments, both great and tragic, such as President John F. Kennedy’s assassination. Blackmon stated, “I never imagined I would see the flag come down in mine lifetime.” It is noteworthy that the session ended with a vote on the controversial issue. It is not easy to get a two-thirds vote in favor of suspending rules for any reason, especially on the long-contested issue regarding the state flag. The supporters of the flag change have struggled for years to get the majority necessary to alter the controversial banner using the regular legislative process. The tragic death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, an African American man caused protests across the country that reached Mississippi. This brought to light the flag many consider racist. In recent weeks, there has been a lot of pressure from religious, business and civic leaders as well as sports, universities, sports, and others to take the Confederate emblem off the flag. There is a growing number of cities, counties, and other groups that have stopped flying the flag, or requested leaders to change it. Religious leaders have spoken out and said that changing the flag was a “moral issue.” This month, the NCAA, SEC and Conference USA took action to ban play in the state after the flag has been changed. Rep. Blackmon pointed out the state flag that is displayed in the House chamber. He said that many white members didn’t notice it when they entered the chamber. Rep. Blackmon stated, “But there are some people who notice it every single time they walk into here.” It is not a pleasant feeling. Our reporters give a human face to policy’s impact on everyday Mississippians by listening more closely and understanding their communities. 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