The mayor’s office issued this statement from Mayor Ashton Hayward today:
Today, I directed City staff to remove the Confederate Flag from display at all City of Pensacola facilities and to fly in its place the flag of the State of Florida.
While the Confederate Flag undeniably represents a part of Pensacola’s history, to many it is a painful symbol of racial hatred and intolerance. I proudly celebrate our great city’s rich history, but I do not believe that we are defined by our history alone.
We will always be the City of Five Flags — but now is the time for us to turn our focus to our city’s bright future.