South Carolina Leaders Call For Removal Of Confederate Flag

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COLUMBIA, SC — Leaders in South Carolina are pushing to remove the Confederate flag from the State House grounds.  Many want the flag gone before the body of State Senator Clementa Pinckney, who was killed in last week’s Charleston church shooting, lies in state on Wednesday.

Even private companies like Walmart are taking action, removing all Confederate flag merchandise from its stores.  In a huge announcement Monday, Governor Nikki Haley said it’s time for the flag to go.

“It’s time to move the flag from the Capitol grounds,” said Gov. Haley on Monday.  She continued, “My hope is that by removing a symbol that divides us, we can move forward as a state in harmony and we can honor the nine blessed souls who are now in heaven.”

Last week’s racially-motivated church shooting, which killed nine African-Americans, has sparked an outcry over the flag’s presence on government property.  The flag represented the Confederate Army during the Civil War.  Charleston’s Mayor Joseph Riley is standing with the Governor.

“I congratulate Governor Haley for her decision,” he said.  “This is so important for the citizens of South Carolina.  It’s long overdue.”

An alleged manifesto on a website registered to the church shooter shows him embracing the flag.  Some in the state say it represents heritage and pride.  A decision about removing the flag from the Capitol grounds is in the hands of the state assembly.  A two-thirds majority would be needed to remove it.  Lawmakers could vote as early as Tuesday.

“What we have to do is galvanize and use this window of opportunity in light of this horrible tragedy and come away with a solution,” said South Carolina State Senator Marlon Kimpson (D).

This isn’t the first debate over the Confederate flag in South Carolina.  Lawmakers agreed to remove the Confederate flag from the top of the Capitol dome in 2000 and place it across the street, while also adding a monument to African-Americans.