Michigan senator apologizes for Confederate flag mask, says it was a misunderstanding
A Michigan state senator apologized for wearing a Confederate flag mask to the statehouse on Friday, calling the incident “an error in judgment.”
When confronted about the face covering, state senator Dale Zorn initially denied that it was a Confederate flag pattern, and told WLNS that it depicted either the Tennessee or Kentucky flag.
Zorn went on to say, “even if it was a Confederate flag, you know, we should be talking about teaching our national history in schools and that’s part of our national history and it’s something we can’t just throw away because it is part of our history. And if we want to make sure that the atrocities that happened during that time doesn’t happen again, we should be teaching it. Our kids should know what that flag stands for.”
During the interview, Zorn is wearing a different mask. Asked where the Confederate mask went, Zorn says he left it in the senate chambers. He also told WLNS the mask was made by his wife.
Both the Michigan House and Senate had convened Friday to “form a joint committee to oversee and question the state’s coronavirus (COVID-19) response” and “vote in both chambers on a bill that would repeal the 1945 law that Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said gives her emergency powers,” according to WDIV-TV.
Zorn, a Republican, apologized on Twitter Saturday for what he had worn to the statehouse, saying “I’m sorry for my choice of pattern.”
“I did not intend to offend anyone; however, I realize that I did, and for that I am sorry. Those who know me best know that I do not support the things this pattern represents,” his tweet said.
“My actions were an error in judgment for which there are no excuses and I will learn from this episode.”
Many on social media expressed anger or disappointment, including fellow Michigan lawmaker Jeff Irwin.
“The Confederate flag should never be worn, especially by an elected official,” Irwin said. “It dishonors our fellow Michiganders. It dishonors the battle flags in our rotunda. It dishonors our state.”
This story was originally published April 25, 2020 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Michigan senator apologizes for Confederate flag mask, says it was a misunderstanding."