5 Facts About California's Ban of Confederate Flag

Although the State of California didn’t fly the Confederate flag over its capitol, a state law banning its display on public lands was put in place last year.

The confederate flag much more recently has come under fire following the deadly shooting of nine individuals at the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 17. The confessed criminal Dylann Roof has photos online of himself holding the Confederate flag and a gun.

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South Carolina and states with flags inspired by the rebel banner have been called to remove them following the shooting.

Here is some information on California’s rules prohibiting the flying of the flag.

1. State Senator Isadore Hall III introduced bill AB-2444 in February 2014.
Hall's mother, who had lived in the segregated South, visited Hall at the state capitol, and she was shocked to find merchandise depicting the Confederate flag in the gift shop at the statehouse, according to Care2.

2. Gov. Jerry Brown signed the bill into law September 2014.
The bill was passed in the state legislature with only one individual, Congressman Tim Donnelly, dubbing himself a “strict Constitutionalist,” voting against the proposal, according to the Los Angeles Times.

3. The state may not sell or display the battle flag, according to the law.
This includes similar images and tangible personal property emblazoned with the picture. The only exceptions permitted are images in books, digital mediums, or state museums that have historical and educational value.

4. The bill was changed.
Hall amended his proposed rule to exclude employees not working for the government and private businesses to avoid violating free speech protections, according to The Associated Press.

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5. The law does not affect private individuals.
Residents of California may still display the flag if they wish to do so as an application of their freedom of speech. Those who are protesting or people who walk onto state property are also permitted to display the flag, according to The Grio.

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