The Columbia Daily Tribune reported Sunday that Basye, a Republican from Rocheport, was one of several who dedicated a gravestone to Confederate guerillas who died in 1865. They are buried on Basye’s family’s land.
The ceremony included the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer and a salute to the Confederate flag, the Tribune reported.
Basye, first elected in 2014, did not respond to a request for comment.
Ellington said he encourages Basye “to think about what his celebration of the Confederacy and salute to the Confederate flag says to his constituents, and invite him to join with us in confronting the racism and mistreatment of our fellow Americans.”