MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A high school senior in Alabama is leading a movement to change Montgomery’s city flag, which features Confederate symbols that he says no longer reflect the values of the city’s diverse population.
Jeremiah Treece, a senior at Booker T. Washington Magnet High School, addressed the Montgomery City Council on October 15, calling for the removal of the Confederate imagery embedded in the city’s flag. Treece has launched a petition to support his initiative, drawing attention to the flag’s controversial ties to the Confederacy and urging the city to adopt a more inclusive symbol.
“Montgomery has a rich history, but we must acknowledge that some of that history has caused pain,” Treece told the council. “This flag is part of that legacy, and it’s time for a change.”
The current city flag incorporates elements reminiscent of the Confederate battle flag, a symbol that has long sparked debate in Alabama and across the South. For many, the flag represents a painful reminder of slavery and segregation. Montgomery, the capital of Alabama, was the first capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War and later a pivotal site in the Civil Rights Movement.
Alabama has wrestled with its Confederate heritage for decades, with debates over the removal of statues, the renaming of public spaces, and the use of Confederate symbols in state and local flags. In 2015, the state removed the Confederate battle flag from the grounds of the Alabama State Capitol, but many symbols remain in place, including those in Montgomery’s flag.
Treece’s petition calls for a design that reflects Montgomery’s modern identity, celebrating unity rather than division. He has gained support from local students and residents, although there has also been opposition from those who view the flag as an important part of Alabama’s history.
The council has not yet made a decision on the matter, but Treece’s efforts have sparked a citywide conversation about what the flag represents and how Montgomery should move forward.
Treece’s petition can be found here.