Congressman Thompson Applauds MS House Speaker's Position on Confederate Flag

Statement

Today, United States Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following statement regarding the ongoing national debate on the confederate battle flag:

"I am pleased that South Carolina elected officials including my good friend Jim Clyburn stood together against the hate and backwards thinking represented by the confederate battle flag and made the first step to remove this controversial relic of history from their state capitol.

"It is time for Mississippi leaders to do the same. I was heartened by the words of Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn who stepped out against what had become conventional wisdom in his party and recognized the offensive nature of the confederate battle flag and urged that it be removed. I support his efforts and urge other Mississippi legislators and elected officials to follow his lead.

"Mississippi is the sole state with an actual depiction of the confederate battle flag in its state flag. This flag is not just some piece of cloth that bears no importance; it is the physical manifestation of a time of hate, oppression and slavery that split this country at its seams. It also serves as a barrier around the entire State of Mississippi telling everyone else in this country that progress is not welcomed here.

"I love the state where I have lived my entire life but I will not offend the constituents who come to my office by having this symbol of intolerance greet them at the door. I look forward to the opportunity to work with Speaker Gunn and other well-meaning Mississippians to make sure that we all have a flag in Mississippi that is more in line with the state's "hospitality state" moniker and less grounded in the past.

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