New flag flying over Georgia Capitol

Georgia's new state flag flying over the capitol

From staff and wire reports

In this story: Heritage versus racial sensitivities Emotions and security high RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

ATLANTA, Georgia -- A new state flag, with a smaller Confederate battle emblem, is flying over Georgia's state capitol.

Gov. Roy Barnes signed a bill authorizing the new flag Wednesday morning.

VIDEO Correspondent Letitia Miele pays a visit to the largest flagmaker in Georgia Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     GALLERY Take a look back at the evolution of Georgia's state flag     MESSAGE BOARD The state of race relations

The Georgia Senate voted 34-22 Tuesday to approve the new flag, following an emotional debate that touched on themes of Southern heritage and racial sensitivity.

The bill needed 29 votes to pass.

The vote followed a similar move last week by the state House and a plea by Gov. Roy Barnes to approve the change.

"This is not about destroying heritage," Barnes said in an impassioned speech in the Senate chambers before debate began. "This is about being united as one people."

"We are one people forever woven together in a tapestry," Barnes said. "And it is our job, our duty and our great challenge to fight the voices of division and to seek the salve of reconciliation."

Heritage versus racial sensitivities

Many African-Americans had objected to the former state flag and its prominent display of the Confederate battle emblem, saying it was a painful reminder of slavery.

But supporters of that flag, which was raised in 1956, said it was merely a reflection of Southern heritage and pride.

Some historians say the rebel banner was added to the flag in response to the federal order to desegregate schools. Supporters of that flag say it was meant only to honor the memory of Confederate soldiers.

The debate is one of heritage versus racial sensitivities.

Some African-American leaders say the Confederate emblem on the old flag was a symbol of racism and segregation. And the new flag, they say, will stave off a threatened economic boycott of the state.

Southern pride groups had said approval of the new flag would betray the state's heritage and would mean caving in to "economic terrorism."

The Southern Heritage League rallied in Atlanta at the state Capitol rotunda Monday, calling for a referendum on the flag change.

Emotions and security high

With emotions running high, the usual number of uniformed police and state troopers was doubled in the Capitol hallways, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper reported Tuesday. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was monitoring the Capitol and bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in.

The rebel banner occupies two-thirds of the current flag. The new flag, designed by a retired Atlanta architect, reduces it to one of five historic flags displayed with the words "Georgia's History" on a ribbon below the state seal.

Barnes, a Democrat, introduced the new flag in a surprise move last week, and the measure passed the House.

Senate Democrats, who steered the bill to passage with Barnes' help, beat Republican amendments that would have changed the bill, requiring a new vote in the House.

"I'm glad that this matter's put behind us," Barnes said following the vote. He did not know when the bill would be ready for his signature.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Georgia State Senate Online
Sons of Confederate Veterans

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