The U.S. Marine Corps on Friday ordered all public displays of the Confederate flag removed, a ban that extends to bumper stickers, clothing, mugs, posters and more.
The order directs Marine Corps commanders to find and remove displays of the flag in “work places, common-access areas, and public areas” on base.
“The Confederate battle flag has all too often been co-opted by violent extremist and racist groups whose divisive beliefs have no place in our Corps,” a notice posted by the U.S. Marines on Twitter says.
Exceptions to the order include state flags that include the Confederate flag and Confederate soldiers’ gravesites. Individual barracks, living quarters and private vehicles will not be inspected, the order says.
In April, top Marine Gen. David Berger banned the display of the Confederate flag and other such symbols.
The Marines’ Friday announcement formalizes that ban. It’s a position that no other military branch has yet taken, Military.com reports.
Today, the Marine Corps released guidance on the removal of public displays of the Confederate battle flag.
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) June 6, 2020
MARADMIN 331/20: https://t.co/WLW4m70LW1 pic.twitter.com/TKoYJUL7Vo
Perhaps most notably: The statue of Robert E. Lee has that has towered over Richmond, Viriginia, for more than 100 years will come down “as soon as possible,” Gov. Ralph Northam announced.
Around the U.S., demonstrations over the death of George Floyd and racial inequality have sparked both protesters and city officials to remove, deface or announce plans to take down many Confederate memorials.
