WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. House has voted to ban the display of Confederate flags at historic federal cemeteries in Mississippi and across the south.
Under the proposal, the Park Service would be blocked from allowing private groups from decorating the graves of southern soldiers with Confederate flags in states that commemorate Confederate Memorial Day. “Why should we glorify a symbol that really tried to separate this great country of ours, a symbol of the confederacy that lost the war and represents so much bigotry and hatred,” said Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-Miss) who supported the bill. The proposal would affect the Vicksburg Military Park and in Mississippi and Andersonville in Georgia.
Pressure to ban display of the flag on state and federal property has increased since the murders of nine worshippers at a historic black church in South Carolina. Several Mississippi lawmakers have called for a redesigned state flag, which has in it now the confederate emblem. Governor Phil Bryant has said he would do nothing about the controversy.
