A PUBLIC SERVICE NOTE IN THE WAKE OF THE CHARLESTON KILLINGS
CHANGE FLORIDA'S
The designer of Florida's current State flag was Governor Francis P. Fleming (1889-1893) who had been a Captain in the Army of the Confederacy. During his term he suggested adding a red saltire (St. Andrew's Cross) to the State Flag so that its white field did not appear to be a flag of surrender. This was precisely the rationale behind the Confederacy's adoption of the Blood-Stained Banner in 1865, and the saltire is reminiscent of the saltire on Confederate battle flags.
The design of Florida's flag dates from 1900, with a slight change in 1985. Given that our State is now the home of a diverse, multicultural, multiethnic population, the symbol of the Confederacy is not only no longer appropriate to our people, it is an offense to many.
The motto "In God We Trust" no longer represents the religious diversity of the state, whose people now come from many lands and do not all ascribe to the Abrahamic religions.
After 120 years, it is time to look toward Florida's future, not Florida's past.
Thank you. If you are seeing this on Facebook or Twitter don't just "Like" it. Please sign my MoveOn.org petition at
