Confederate flag courtesy of online wallpaper.
It’s looking favorable that The Confederate flag may finally face its final “Taps” as protests around the nation urge lawmakers to remove it from Capitol grounds, according to several breaking news reports coming from South Carolina’s legislation.
The news comes less than a week after the shocking shooting of nine unarmed worshippers who were attending Bible study at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC.
The shooting ignited outrage around the nation, and prompted many lawmakers to reassess the flag’s background as a symbol of slavery and racism.
Pressure to remove the flag from Statehouse grounds mounted after S.C. Governor, Nikki Haley, responded to protests that it sent a straight out message of hate and intolerance toward people of color.
Haley addressed the overwhelming volume of outcries from protestors in a press conference on Monday, calling for the flag’s removal during the news conference.
“Today, we are here in a moment of unity in our state, without ill will, to say it is time to move the flag from the Capitol grounds,” she said.
Haley’s announcement came days after the alleged gunman in the Charleston, S.C, shooting, Dylann Roof, 21, was charged with murder.
“The hate-filled murderer who massacred our brothers and sisters in Charleston has a sick and twisted view of the flag. In no way does he reflect the people in our state who respect, and in many ways, revere it,” the governor told reporters during the news conference.
Additional lawmakers from around the country publicized their own support to remove the flag from government buildings in their states, as well.
Walmart ordered the removal of all items from its store shelves and website that feature the Confederate flag. The move prompted other retailers, such as Sears, eBay and Amazon, to follow suit.
While members of Republican and Democratic parties ban together to oust the flag, supporters from the Sons of Confederate Veterans issued a statement to the press, defending their duty to honor the flag for its historical distinction to both black and white soldiers who fought for the South during the Civil War.
“Do not associate the cowardly actions of a racist to our Confederate Banner,” Leland Summers, the group’s South Carolina commander, said in a statement published by the Charleston City Paper. “There is absolutely no link between The Charleston Massacre and The Confederate Memorial Banner. Don’t try to create one.”
In the meantime, President Obama is scheduled to deliver the eulogy this Friday for Clementa Pinckney, South Carolina’s senate member and senior pastor at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Pickney, 41,was gunned down last Wednesday along with eight other members of his church.
