Governor Rips University Decisions To Remove State Flag

JACKSON (AP) Gov. Phil Bryant says state universities that removed Mississippi’s Confederate-themed flag are teaching disrespect for state law by taking it down.

He said Tuesday he disagrees with decisions by Mississippi State University and the Mississippi University for Women over the summer to stop publicly flying the flag.

Bryant reiterated his position that voters should get another chance to decide whether Mississippi changes its 1894 flag.

The Republican cited a state law that calls for Mississippi’s flag to “receive all of the respect and ceremonious etiquette given the American flag” if displayed. The law doesn’t require public agencies to fly the flag.

Mississippi’s flag has been criticized as a symbol of racial oppression. Voters strongly supported keeping it in 2001.

Delta State University is the only one of Mississippi’s eight public universities still flying the banner.