LANSING, Mich. -- Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across Michigan to be lowered to half-staff.

This order comes in accordance with an announcement issued by President Biden to lower flags.

This ordinance will be in effect Thursday and will last through the end of Monday.

“The senseless murders of eight people in Atlanta, including six Asian-American women, is a national tragedy,” Governor Whitmer said.

“By lowering the flags, we honor the legacies of the eight lives that were taken from us too soon and declare that hate has no home in Michigan or anywhere in the United States,” Governor Whitmer added. 

Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations are also encouraged to display their U.S. and Michigan flags at half-staff through the end of Monday.  

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position.

This process should be reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.