Marine Corps bans display of the Confederate flag to protect ‘core values’

Members of the U.S. Marine Corps were notified that any display of the Confederate battle flag is prohibited at its installations as of Friday, ABC 7 reported.

The Marine Corps also posted the new guidelines on Twitter, according to ABC 7. Not only is the flag itself banned, but any displays of the flag on bumper stickers, clothing, mugs, posters or any other depiction is not allowed, ABC 7 reported.

The Marine Corps made the announcement as several cities around the U.S. are taking down Confederate monuments, according to FOX 8. The ban applies to all private and public property that might be seen on a base, FOX 8 reported.

The only exception to the rule is displaying the flag in a historical or educational context, such as at a museum, according to FOX 8. The Marine Corps believes that the ban would “support our core values, ensure unit cohesion and security, and preserve good order and discipline,” Business Insider reported.

“The Confederate battle flag has all too often been co-opted by violent extremist and racist groups whose divisive beliefs have no place in our Corps,” the branch said in a statement, according to Business Insider. “Our history as a nation, and events like the violence in Charlottesville in 2017, highlight the divisiveness the use of the Confederate battle flag has had on our society.”

The Confederate Army carried the flag during the Civil War in the 1860s, and it has been displayed at military bases in recent years, Business Insider reported. The new rule will not apply to state flags that incorporate displays of the Confederate flag, such as Mississippi’s, and license plates, according to Business Insider.

This story was originally published June 6, 2020 at 11:05 AM with the headline "Marine Corps bans display of the Confederate flag to protect ‘core values’."