Mississippi Flag Removed From Avenue Of The States After Complaints
by Justin Udo
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- After complaints and protests were made over a controversial state flag that was flown on Broad Street, Philadelphia officials decided to remove it.
The newly-minted "Avenue of the States" stretches down South Broad Street and features two flags from all 50 states.
"The state of Mississippi flag has a confederate flag as part of it. Neighbors have been complaining the last few days since it has gone up," said first deputy managing director Brian Abernathy.
Abernathy, with the city of Philadelphia, says during one of the Sanders rallies going down Broad Street on Monday, the flag caught the eye of the protesters.
"There has been a small protest at the flag. As the march came down Broad Street a small group broke off and did protest the flag and sat down around it," said Abernathy.
Abernathy says Mayor Jim Kenney gave direct orders to remove both Mississippi flags.
"It will come down for the foreseeable future," he said.
Abernathy adds that the removal of the flags is about Philadelphians, and not about saving facing for the DNC.