That flag you love to hate might be coming down.
South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called for the removal of the confederate flag during a press conference today. South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham is also calling for the flag to come down from its lofty perch above the state capitol.
During the press conference, Haley said the time has come to remove the flag from the statehouse grounds. “The flag will always be a part of the soil of South Carolina,” she said.
“For those who wish to show their respect for the flag on their private property, no one will stand in your way. But the statehouse is different… Today we are here in a moment of unity in our state, without ill will, to say it’s time to move the flag from the capitol grounds.”
Her words were met with sustained applause from lawmakers and city residents in attendance.
Haley acted in response to protestors who say the confederate flag symbolizes hate and oppression after the massacre at a historic black church last week.
Haley also addressed Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old white supremacist who gunned down 9 black church members at Mother Emanuel AME Church last week.
“The murderer now locked up in Charleston said he hoped his actions would start a race war. We have an opportunity to show that not only was he wrong, but that just the opposite is happening. My hope is that by removing the symbol that divides us, we can move forward as a state in harmony, and we can honor the nine blessed souls who are no win Heaven.”
That doesn’t mean the flag is definitely coming down any time soon. The governor says she has the authority to call the general assembly back into session to “debate” on removing the flag.
In other words, Haley is making politically expedient statements to appease protestors. But her words will likely fall on deaf ears.
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