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Ole Miss removes state flag, its Confederate cross from campus

Posted at 10:53 AM, Oct 26, 2015
and last updated 2015-10-26 10:53:28-04

(CNN) — The University of Mississippi has removed the state flag from campus, according to a university statement issued Monday.

The move comes after student senators voted 33-15 last week to ask the school administration to furl the banner, which contains a Confederate battle flag in its corner.

“University of Mississippi Police Department officers lowered and furled the state flag in a Lyceum Circle ceremony as the campus opened Monday morning,” a school statement said. “The flag will be preserved in the University Archives along with resolutions from students, faculty and staff calling for its removal.”

Allen Coon, a student senator and president of the College Democrats who was at the forefront of the fight to take down the flag, told CNN he was surprised and elated by the decision.

“They didn’t announce anything. They did it early this morning,” he said. “The leadership acted swiftly, and despite the opposition from the governor, who two days ago said college students act emotionally, they took it down. It’s exciting.”