MTA to Replace Times Square Subway Tiles That Look Like Confederate Flags

New York City's subway system has announced it will modify tile mosaics in the Times Square station that resemble Confederate flags.

The tile, found at the 40th Street entrance near the 1, 2, and 3 trains, was first brought to the public's attention by the New York Postin 2015. Passengers have complained that the design was too reminiscent of the Confederate flag, with some even claiming that the 100-year-old design was an intentional nod to New York Times publisher and Southerner, Arthur Ochs.

"These are not confederate flags, it is a design based on geometric forms that represent the 'Crossroads of the World, '" MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz said in a statement. The Times also looked into it, and columnist David Dunlap's reading proved inconclusive.

The tiles have been in the Times Square subway station for decades, and have drawn plenty of ire during that time.

White supremacists marched on the city in protest of plans to remove a statue honoring Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

"It looks like it has a resemblance of a Confederate flag", said one man. On Thursday, plaques related to Robert E. Lee were taken down from outside a church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday that the city will undergo a 90-day review of "all symbols of hate on city property".

The MTA didn't say how the tiles would be changed or when the work would begin.

"Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson will be removed from the CUNY hall of great Americans because NY stands against racism", Cuomo tweeted. The Army has so far resisted, saying the streets were named for the generals "in the spirit of reconciliation" and to recognize them as individuals, not representatives of "any particular cause or ideology".