Court Says Battle Flag Can Remain

The Mississippi flag, which incorporates the Confederate battle flag, does not violate the constitutional rights of blacks, the state Supreme Court in Jackson ruled. Lawmakers, not the courts, should determine state flags, Presiding Justice Ed Pittman said in the ruling. The ruling in the case, which dates to 1993, had been awaited for months. Blacks have called for a new design because they say the flag is a reminder of slavery. Some legislative opponents of changing the flag had said they wanted to await the court ruling.