In the aftermath of the tragic shootings in Charleston, South Carolina, the controversy over states that continue to display the Confederate battle flag has once again come to the forefront.

Georgia’s state flag once was dominated by the battle flag. But in 2001, Governor Roy Barnes made what was considered a brave stand, introducing a bill to change it.

The strategy for winning legislative support constitutes one of the most interesting stories in state history. After nearly four hours of debate, the Senate approved a new flag by a vote of 34-22 in January 2001.

Barnes won his fight, but is convinced that championing a new flag cost him reelection in 2002, as forces opposed to taking down the battle flag surged to defeat him (his successor, Sonny Perdue, pushed through another flag, which recalls the “Stars and Bars” Confederate flag). Nevertheless, Barnes says it was the right decision, and he says the Confederate emblem should be removed from all state properties.

“There is a place for the confederate battle flag. It is in museums, and it is at confederate cemeteries and it is places like that, but it is not as a symbol of the state and I don’t think it should be on the tag at all,” Barnes said in an interview with GPB’s Bill Nigut.

Hear former Gov. Barnes talk about the issue with Nigut and Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Jim Galloway on Two Way Street, Saturday afternoon at 4 and Sunday morning at 11 on your GPB Radio station.

Tags: Gov. Roy Barnes, Confederate flag