The flag display that flies over the Marion County government complex is moving, and the controversial Confederate flag that is part of the display is being replaced.
Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to relocate the Five Flags Over Florida display that is currently in front of the McPherson Government Complex to an area near the county's history museum. The five flags in the display represent the five countries that have governed Florida.
The county also voted to replace the Confederate flag in the display.
The third national flag of the Confederacy, known as the Blood-Stained Banner.
The flag that is currently in the display is known as the Blood-Stained Banner, and is the third national flag of the Confederacy. The flag will be replaced with the first national Confederate flag, which is better known as the Stars and Bars.
The first national flag of the Confederacy, known as the Stars and Bars.
The Blood-Stained Banner was at the center of a debate over the summer after a government official took the flag down in the wake of the shooting at a church in Charleston, South Carolina. The commission then voted to put the flag back up at the complex.
The flag became controversial because the Blood-Stained Banner includes the Confederate battle flag in the upper left corner. The move to take it down sparked protests from those who see it as a symbol of slavery and segregation and those who see it as a symbol of Southern heritage.
The move will be funded with private donations, and not tax dollars.
Meanwhile the area where the flags currently fly will still be used. The American flag will be flown, as will the flags of agencies represented at the Fallen Officers Memorial.
No word on when the Five Flags Over Florida display will be moved.