MAY 7, 2025 — Montgomery, Alabama, has opened a public contest to redesign its city flag, says WSFA, responding to local concerns over Confederate symbolism embedded in the current design.
The current flag, adopted in 1952, features a diagonal blue stripe and 11 stars—elements critics say reflect the Confederate battle flag and the number of Confederate states. Grey tones in the flag have also been interpreted as representing Confederate uniforms. The flag’s origins trace back to a design contest held by the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce and won by World War II veteran Robert S. Ryan.
Calls for a redesign gained traction in October 2024 after Booker T. Washington High School senior Jeremiah Treece addressed the city council. “This is not the image Montgomery should project today,” Treece said.
“That flag serves as a constant reminder, not just of division, but of a time when people like me simply weren’t wanted here.” He proposed that public high school students be given the opportunity to create a new, more inclusive design.
Following Treece’s remarks, the city council referred the issue to the governmental affairs committee for further study. In April, a council committee agreed to pursue a public flag redesign contest to gather input from residents.
Under the contest rules, participants must be Montgomery residents aged 13 or older. Submissions must include a drawing and a 250-word essay explaining the design.
The deadline for submissions is June 21 at 5 p.m.
