MAY 11, 2026 — The City Council of Montgomery, Alabama, has formally approved a new flag, reports the Montgomery Advertiser, concluding a multi-year effort to modernize the city’s heraldry and distance its official branding from Confederate-linked symbolism.
In a 6-1 vote on May 5, legislators moved to adopt a design that emphasizes themes of unity, peace, and renewal. The new banner is scheduled to officially replace the 1952 design on October 1, 2026.
The previous flag had faced increasing scrutiny due to its use of a diagonal blue stripe and star counts that critics argued were reminiscent of Confederate iconography. The push for a redesign gained momentum in late 2024, following a petition and advocacy by local student Jeremiah Treece.
In response, the council’s Governmental Affairs & Administration Standing Committee launched a public contest that garnered 27 submissions. The winning concept, initially submitted by Treece and refined by designer Joshua Gordon, was selected from five finalists.
The new design features a white centre with red diagonal bands intended to represent the city’s “evolving story” and momentum. A central blue ribbon, described as a “visual break from past divisions,” is adorned with nine gold stars representing Montgomery’s city council districts.
At the heart of the flag is a larger blue and gold star signifying Montgomery’s status as the state capital, while golden olive branches flank the central imagery to symbolize resilience and goodwill.
Councilor Oronde Mitchell, a proponent of the change, noted that the goal was to create a symbol of pride for all residents while acknowledging the city’s complex heritage.
Despite the majority support, the approval process was met with some internal friction regarding the fiscal implications of the change, says the Black Belt News Network.
The changeover will require the city to update various municipal assets, including signage, flags on public buildings, and uniforms for the Montgomery Police Department.
While Chief Financial Officer Betty Beville indicated that a comprehensive cost estimate was difficult to establish at this stage, the council opted for an October implementation date.
This timeline is intended to allow individual city departments to integrate the expenses associated with the new branding into their upcoming annual budgets.
Image: City of Montgomery
