Initiative 58 and the Flag Fight
Initiative 58 is the first step toward amending the Mississippi Constitution to recognize our current flag as the state’s official flag. If approximately 86,000 certified petition signatures are presented to the Secretary of State by October 2016, the people can vote to amend the state Constitution in the election of November 2018 (step two).
Why Vote Again?
People ask, “Why do we have to vote, again?” Answer: Amending the state Constitution would add a layer of protection for our current flag, because the legislature would not be able to change it by a simple majority vote. A counter-amendment to the Constitution would then be required to change the flag.
If we fail to get the petition signatures we need, our current flag would not be automatically removed, but it would remain vulnerable to attack by the Left.
Progressivism
The Left, and those under their influence, have stepped up their efforts to force “Progressivism” upon Mississippi (and all of America, for that matter): Christian pastors must perform marriage ceremonies for homosexuals; public schools must expand efforts to push anti-Christ attitudes and ideas; Christianity itself must become evermore shallow and defeatist-minded; the “haves” must increase subsidies to the “have-nots” and a host of Socialist projects; Hollywood must find ways to peddle more sexual perversion and lies masquerading as history; the news media must work the clenched-fist radicals to a fever pitch, while destroying the fighting spirit of the decent people; and all imagery and symbols of resistance to Progressivism must be eliminated. Since the Mississippi flag contains a symbol of resistance to Progressivism, namely the Confederate battle flag, the Left hates it. To the Left, the Rebels are still holding Vicksburg, as long as the 1894 flag of Mississippi is still flying!
Summer Surprise Attack
In the summer of 2015, the Left, with the cooperation of Left-leaning Republicans, launched a surprise attack on the principles and symbols of the Confederate States of America. The 1894 flag of Mississippi became one of many targets. Speaker of the Mississippi House, Republican Philip Gunn, publicly declared his willingness to work with the Left to replace the 1894 flag with a new design. He feels that he is offering our flag to the Left as an olive branch of appeasement. In reality he is casting “pearls before swine” that intend to trample every good thing under their hooves.
Since the summer of 2015, a number of misguided people and shallow-thinking Christian leaders and educators have expressed support for the anti-flag agenda of Speaker Gunn and the Left.
Summer Counter-attack
But also in the summer of 2015, many good people of the Right began to organize a counter-attack. Eleven men, including your author, formed a group that is now known as the Dixie Alliance™ (
Other organizations were also formed or expanded, including the following, which can be found on Facebook: Flags
Up Mississippi; Keep the Flag, Use Your Vote; Magnolia State Heritage Campaign; Mid-south Flaggers; Mississippi On Guard; Save The Flag MS, etc. Visit especially if you support Ole Miss.
Concurrently that summer, several people, many of whom were members of the Sons of Confederate Veterans ( were working to design a “big gun” to meet the challenge of Phil Gunn and the Left. They created Ballot Initiative 58, but roadblocks at the Attorney General’s office stymied their efforts for a month or so. Enter Rafael Sanchez of McComb. Sanchez already had an online petition page supporting our flag. The designers of Initiative 58 had heard about Sanchez, so they asked him to become a sponsor and help gain approval for Initiative 58. With the help of Sanchez, the group succeeded. The big gun is built. Help us load it by gathering sheet after sheet of completed petition forms.
No More Compromises
The people of Mississippi have already compromised in too many ways with the Left. Yet, the Left now demands another compromise: They want Mississippians to surrender their flag. But would that compromise satisfy the Left’s thirst for power? Consider: When Mississippians refused to surrender their flag in 2001, one of the Left’s very own representatives declared in a Jackson television interview that the Left would never be satisfied until they “have everything.” The Left’s thirst for power under the banner of Progressivism is unquenchable, but Progressivism is merely a euphemism for Socialism, immorality, and the propaganda and the tyranny required to enforce it. In short, Progressivism leads to hell on earth for moral, freedom-loving people. Only weak or disreputable people, and those who rule, could enjoy a society based on Progressive principles.
The Confederate battle flag is the banner of Christian Patriots who love Original Intent and Liberty (freedom linked to morality). It should be flown from every pole and porch in America. Certainly, it should be retained on Mississippi’s flag.
Support Initiative 58
To obtain petition forms, go to phone 877-My-Dixie (877-693-4943), or write to us at P.O. Box 765, Jackson, MS 39205. Enclose $1.00 for the first petition ordered and .25 for each additional, or send us a postage paid envelope.
The Dixie Alliance, Inc. is a non-profit, Mississippi corporation.
© 2016 Dixie Alliance, Inc. All rights reserved.
Ray H. Shores
Mr. Shores studies Christianity, history and government at his home in Yazoo County, Miss. He co-founded and serves as chairman of Dixie AllianceTM.