Rep. Ellison Statement on Confederate Flag Flying at National Cemeteries

Statement

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) released the following statement after an amendment led by Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) and Ellison that prohibits federal taxpayer funds from being used to fly the Confederate battle flag at Veteran Administration National Cemeteries passed the House of Representatives:

"For decades, the Confederate battle flag has been the symbol of racist groups and individuals like the Ku Klux Klan and Dylann Roof, who murdered 9 worshipers at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. But the Confederate battle flag is also a symbol of treason. We cannot forget the 2,500 Minnesotans who died during the Civil War fighting for liberty and freedom, whose opponents carried the very flag which some Republicans want flown today. These brave Americans gave their lives opposing everything the Confederate battle flag represented -- the desire to hold human beings as property across our country and keep them in bondage until the end of time.

"All Minnesotans owe these brave Americans a solemn debt. We should ensure that the flag that their enemies carried so proudly does not fly above their graves."

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