How lawmakers voted on the bill to change the Mississippi flag

This weekend was one for the history books in Mississippi.

After the death of George Floyd at the hands of police officers in Minneapolis last month, the American people began demonstrating across the nation against police brutality and for social justice. Every state in the union has been the site of demonstrations and marches, which have been going on for weeks.

Pressure began building to change the Mississippi state flag, the last in the nation to carry Confederate symbolism. The flag was seen by many as a reminder of slavery and all that came after it—Jim Crow laws, lynching, inequality and systemic racism.

In the past several weeks, numerous powerful organizations came out in favor of ridding the flag of the offending stars and bars. Among them were sporting associations, teacher and religious organizations, and corporations. Mississippi leaders and celebrities soon joined in the chorus of voices demanding change. Lastly, Gov. Tate Reeves announced Saturday he would sign a bill to change the flag if one were sent to him.

The stage was set.

Saturday, lawmakers voted to suspend the rules to allow a bill on changing the flag. It was the first of two steps required to change the flag and seen by many as the bellwether event:; the proclamation needed a two-thirds majority in both legislative chambers to pass, and it did, with overwhelming support. The vote was 84-35 in the House and 36-14 in the Senate.

Sunday’s vote, to pass an actual bill, seemed a sure thing. The bar was lower, requiring only a simple majority instead of the herculean effort to garner a two-thirds majority, but the final bill saw even greater support in both chambers. After reconvening in a rare Sunday session, the House passed the bill, HB 1796, with a vote of 91-23. The Senate vote was 37-14.

Under the new law, the state has 15 days to remove the old flag from public buildings. A commission to come up with a new design will be appointed by Reeves, House Speaker Philip Gunn and Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann. The design must contain the words “In God We Trust.” The people of Mississippi will vote to accept or reject the design Nov. 3.

“I think the Mississippi Senate and me personally, we want Mississippi to have a heart and a soul,” Lt. Gov. Delbert Hosemann told Mississippi Today. “Today she had one.”

Here is how the lawmakers voted Sunday on the bill:

House of Representatives:

Senate: