The Mississippi state flag was removed from Liberty State Park this week due to it use of the Confederate battle flag.
Flags from every state in the country adorn poles along Freedom Way, which runs through the park. Gov. Phil Murphy ordered that an American flag be flown in its place.
“The Confederate symbol displayed on the Mississippi state flag is reprehensible and does not reflect our values of inclusivity and equality,” Murphy said in a statement.
Murphy said that the issue was brought to his attention by state Sen. Sandra Cunningham.
Mississippi is currently working to change how the state flag is displayed. The state is offering new versions of its license plate that features a revamped state flag. It features 19 stars in a circle with a larger star in the middle, along with red stripes on both sides.
Modern uses of the Confederate battle flag have recently been the subject of controversy. Those opposed say that the image evokes racism due to its ties to slavery and the Civil War.
But critics say that the flag represents Southern pride, while others state that history should not be removed or hidden from the public.
New Jersey Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver chimed in on the issue on Twitter. “There is a difference between acknowledging history versus glorifying it."
Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant said in a statement Friday: "I'm disappointed in Gov. Murphy's actions. As I have repeatedly said, the voters of Mississippi should decide what the state flag is or is not."
AP wires contributed to this report.