Alabama State Troopers continue to display the Confederate flag, even after the state’s legislature voted to have it removed from statehouse grounds. The symbol is currently emblazoned in the force’s coat of arms which is prominently displayed on every uniform and car the force owns.
The Hunstville NAACP has proposed that the Alabama State Troopers remove the symbol from its uniforms and vehicles as it represents a time of oppression and degradation for African Americans. The flag has also come to represent the efforts of white supremacist groups and other hate-based organizations.
“The time is right, and I just think it needs to be,” said Reverend Robert Shanklin, spokesman for the Hunstville NAACP. “We need to do a clean sweep. The state and local government, anywhere that that’s located.”
The decision of whether to change the Troopers’ uniforms will come from the Governor Robert Bentley.
Local station WAFF-TV had this report.