Hinds supervisors call state flag a symbol of slavery

One of the two resolutions passed Monday by the Hinds County Board of Supervisors says the Confederate flag serves as a symbol to attempt to preserve slavery.

Supervisors President Peggy Hobson Calhoun introduced one resolution in support of efforts to remove the flag from flying over state office buildings.

"The Hinds County Board of Supervisors stand firmly with (U.S.) Senators (Roger) Wicker and (Thad) Cochran, Congressman (Bennie) Thompson and Speaker of the Mississippi House Philip Gunn in support of removing the state flag," Calhoun said.

Calhoun's resolution said the flag is a vestige of the effort to try to preserve slavery.

The other resolution introduced by District 1 Supervisor Robert Graham calls for removing the confederate emblem from the state flag and to redesign it.

Graham's resolution calls upon Gov. Phil Bryant to calls a special session of the legislature to address the flag issue.

"Whereas the symbolism of the current state flag is reflective of a time in Mississippi that is mangled with heritage and hatred---haunted by ghosts of treason and demons of slavery, racism and dominance," Graham's resolution says. "Whereas Mississippi's flag is a symbol that continues to retard Mississippi's economic progress and limit outside investment and tourism by projecting a retrograde, backwater image."

Both resolutions were passed 4-0, Supervisor Tony Greer, the lone white member of the board, was absent.

Bryant and Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves have said the flag issue was decided by voters in a 2001 referendum when more than 60 percent of those who cast ballots voted to keep the state flag.

Contact Jimmie E. Gates at (601) 961-7212 or jgates@jackson.gannett.com. Follow @jgatesnews on Twitter.