Mississippi Surrenders Confederate Symbol From State Flag

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi is retiring the last state flag in the U.S. that includes the Confederate battle emblem.

Spectators cheered in the state Capitol on Sunday after legislators passed a bill. Republican Gov. Tate Reeves is expected to sign it soon.

It requires that a new flag be designed without the emblem that many condemn as racist.

The change comes amid widespread protests over racial injustice, including in Mississippi, where 38% of the people are Black.

The bill says the new flag must have the words, “In God We Trust.”

Voters will be asked to approve the new flag in the Nov. 3 election.