Walmart will no longer display the Mississippi state flag “in its current form” in its stores, a company spokesperson told The Hill on Tuesday.
Walmart spokesman Lorenzo Lopez said the retail company decided to remove the Mississippi state flag, which includes the Confederate emblem.
“We know that the design of the Mississippi state flag is being discussed by various stakeholders,” Lopez said in a statement. “As the matter continues to be discussed, we have made the decision to remove the Mississippi state flag from display in its current form from our stores.
“We believe it is the right thing to do, and is consistent with Walmart’s position of not selling Confederate flag merchandise from online stores and sites, as part of our commitment to providing a welcoming and inclusive experience for all of our customers in the communities we serve. López continued.
Walmart spokeswoman Anne Hatfield told the Memphis newspaper Commercial appeal that the Mississippi state flags were removed “a couple of weeks ago.”
Requests for changes to the Mississippi state flag come as protests calling for racial justice have erupted across the country following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
Protesters across the United States have also called for the statues dedicated to Confederate leaders to be removed, and some protesters take matters into their own hands by overthrowing or defacing the monuments.
The Mississippi flag is the only state left that includes the Confederate emblem, which includes a blue “X” with thirteen white stars.
The Mississippi Baptist Convention also called for a modification of the flag, with its executive director and treasurer calling it a “relic of racism and a symbol of hatred.” Clarion Ledger reported.
The NCAA Board of Governors and Southeast Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey said the SEC cannot hold championship events in the state until the flag is changed.
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