Confederate-themed flag rises again in 1 Mississippi city

aldermen that he issued an executive order in January to remove the flag from City Hall. Peeples says Mississippi is “the only state in the country that flies a flag that is divisive among its citizens.” He says he removed it to take political pressure off aldermen. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)

PONTOTOC, Miss. (AP) — Officials in one Mississippi city have voted to once again fly the Confederate-themed state flag, weeks after the mayor quietly furled it.

Pontotoc Mayor Bob Peeples recently told aldermen that he issued an executive order in January to remove the flag from City Hall. He said he did it to take political pressure off aldermen.

"I truly love this town. We deal with difficult issues and I appreciate the work the board does," Peeples said. "We're the only state in the country that flies a flag that is divisive among its citizens. A flag should rally people together, but this one divides us."

The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that aldermen voted 4-1 Monday to fly it again.

The Mississippi flag has included the Confederate battle emblem since 1894, and people who voted in a 2001 statewide election chose to keep it.

Critics say the flag is a racist reminder of slavery and segregation. Supporters say it represents history.

SOURCE: YAHOO NEWS