Mississippi moves to change its state flag

The Mississippi state legislature over the weekend voted to move ahead with a process that could result in the removal of a Confederate emblem from its state flag, and the governor vowed to sign the bill if passed.

Nationwide protests against racial injustice and police brutality following the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man, have led to calls for the removal of Confederate statues and other symbols of slavery in the United States.

The Mississippi House and Senate voted in favor of the procedural measure on Saturday, which enables lawmakers to draft up a formal measure to change the state flag.

It would need to pass both chambers before going to the state's Republican governor for approval. The final bill would require a simple majority to pass and is likely to be approved.

Governor Tate Reeves on Saturday tweeted quote: "The legislature has been deadlocked for days as it considers a new state flag. The argument over the 1894 flag has become as divisive as the flag itself and it's time to end it.

If they send me a bill this weekend, I will sign it."