On Monday afternoon, the new Mississippi state flag was signed into law by Governor Tate Reeves and placed above the capitol building in Jackson.
The “In God We Trust” flag, which 73% of voters approved of during the 2020 election, replaces the former Confederate-themed flag that flew for over 125 years.
“This was done with the hope that we could put aside our differences, that we can be neighbors in this state and in this country, that we could be partners with one another for the greater good, that our differences do not make us weak—they make us stronger,” Reeves said. “That’s only true if we can unite under one banner and under one calling to love one another, to serve one another, and to work to heal this country that we all love.”
Once Reeves signed HB 1, the new flag was immediately raised before a group of proud Mississippians gathered at the capitol steps.
“This flag will provide a shade of history and community for our citizens. It will provide nourishment to the roots of our society. It will inspire our children and hopefully generations to come, and it will give us a sense of place. We will learn together under this flag. We will work together under this flag, and we will worship together under this emblem,” Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann said as the Honor Guard prepared to raise the flag.
Oxford Mayor Robyn Tannehill, who was one of nine members on the commission in charge of selecting the design, was emotional after the raising of the flag.
“This has been an amazing day for every citizen in Mississippi,” she stated. “I just had tears in my eyes watching that flag go up and thinking about how this is the flag that our kids will see in school, will learn to draw, will learn under, and as the governor said, that we’ll serve under. It is a wonderful day for our state and it’s so wonderful to have a unifying symbol now for us to rally around.”
Today’s proceedings come after both chambers of the Mississippi State Legislature ratified the bill to confirm the new flag last week.
