Marine Corps: Remove public displays of Confederate flag on installations
The U.S. Marine Corps is now banning all public displays of the Confederate flag on its installations, including on mugs, bumper stickers, clothing and posters. This comes after the death of black Minneapolis man George Floyd sparked protests across the nation demanding change in the treatment of its black citizens.
In a MARADMIN released Friday, USMC officials directed commanders to "identify and remove" all examples of the Confederate flag in workspaces and common areas on USMC installations.
"The Confederate battle flag has all too often been co-opted by violent extremist and racist groups whose divisive believes have no place in our Corps," USMC officials announced on Twitter Friday. "This presents a threat to our core values, unit cohesion, security, and good order and discipline."
There will be some exceptions to this rule for when the "flag is depicted, but not the main focus of the display," the directive reads in part. Examples include works of art, displays in Civil War museums, at the gravesites of Confederate soldiers and on state-issued license plates that depict the Confederate flag.
Today, the Marine Corps released guidance on the removal of public displays of the Confederate battle flag.
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) June 6, 2020
MARADMIN 331/20: https://t.co/WLW4m70LW1 pic.twitter.com/TKoYJUL7Vo
The rule only applies to common spaces and workspaces; commanders will not inspect inside assigned individual living quarters, desk drawers, assigned lockers or inside private vehicles. Bumper stickers in the parking lot, however, would be banned.
USMC officials acknowledge it's unrealistic to expect commanders to identify every single incident of the Confederate flag, but say they "must exercise best judgment and discretion."
