Update: Video: Columbus City Council Votes to Bring Down Mississippi Flag at City Buildings

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) -The city of Columbus is striking the state colors. It’s the latest development in the flag controversy that has been spreading across Mississippi.
Tuesday night Columbus city councilmen voted unanimously to remove state flags from city buildings, fire stations, police departments, and parks. They will continue to fly over city school property.

Mayor Robert Smith presented the issue to the council during Tuesday’s meeting, and says he’s proud of the decision they made.
“I personally want to thank the council; for taking the move to where its time for change. Mississippi is always last and we don’t want Columbus to be last. I think this is a great move in the right direction. ”

14 years ago, Mississippi voters chose to keep the state flag which includes the Confederate Battle Flag in its design.

But the issue of change arose again in the wake of a church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina.

Columbus joins a growing group of cities, including Clarksdale, Grenada, Hattiesburg, and Vicksburg, who have chosen not to fly the state flag on city buildings.