(Fargo, ND) -- A republican Minnesota state senator is leading an effort aimed at saving the state flag.
"it's just one of those issues. People are very passionate. They think the Minnesota flag is a very nice flag already. It reflects a lot of the history, everything from the Native American history, to the year of our statehood, to the farmer. It's just a very nice design," said Torrey Westrom.
Westrom held a rally and press conference outside the state capitol this afternoon aimed at building public support for keeping the existing flag design.
The DFL controlled legislature approved the plan to change the flag's design, with some members asserting the design is racist.
The new design approved by a state commission is set to be adopted May 11th.
Westrom says it would take one DFL state senator to join republicans in voting in favor of keeping the current design to prevent the adoption of the new one.
The state senator appeared on WDAY Mid Day.