By Emily Wagster Pettus
The Associated Press
Mississippi lawmakers could vote in the next few days to remove the Confederate battle emblem from the state flag, a symbol that has come under intensifying criticism in recent weeks amid nationwide protests against racial injustice.
People for and against the current flag gathered at the state Capitol on Saturday morning as lawmakers arrived.
Dan Hartness of Ellisville, Miss., walked outside the Capitol carrying a pole that had both the American flag and the current Mississippi flag.
Mississippi has the last state flag that includes the Confederate battle emblem — a red field topped by a blue X with 13 white stars.
Lawmakers could adopt a new Mississippi flag without Confederate imagery.
