Faith leaders from Working Together Jackson, an interfaith organization, successfully campaigned to remove the Confederate battle flag symbol from Mississippi's state flag in 2020. The leaders held rallies at the Catholic cathedral in downtown Jackson, calling the current flag a symbol of white supremacy that needed immediate removal. Bishops from different churches, including Bishop Ronnie Crudup, Bishop Brian Seage, and Bishop Joseph Campbell, spoke out together.
They said any new flag design would be better than keeping the Confederate symbol. This victory came during nationwide protests for racial justice following the civil rights demonstrations. The campaign focused on taking action now rather than debating what the new flag should look like.
The Industrial Areas Foundation, which trains community organizations, supported this successful effort. The story shows how different faith communities can work together to change unfair symbols and create a more welcoming state for everyone.