SC gov. signs bill to remove Confederate flag

Ms Haley said the flag will be brought “down with dignity and put it in its rightful place”. Then, photos surfaced of the suspect, Dylann Roof, posing with Confederate flags and other Civil War symbols, and burning an American flag. They agreed then to move it to a 30-foot pole next to a Confederate monument out front.

“22 days ago”, Haley said. Clementa Pinckney, the pastor of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church, who was gunned down in the Charleston shooting as his wife and daughter locked themselves in an office.

Democrats didn’t want any new flag going up because it “will be the new vestige of racism”, Rutherford said.

The Confederate battle flag flies on the grounds of the South Carolina State House in Columbia on July 5, 2015.

“What exactly is the tradition of the Confederate battle flag that we’re supporting?” “We don’t fly Confederate flags over the statehouse here in Annapolis, so that is not an issue”.

In Washington, Republican leaders in the US House of Representatives abruptly canceled a vote on a measure that would allow the flag to be flown in cemeteries operated by the National Park Service, after an outcry by opponents. Debate on the flag was reignited three weeks ago after the mass murder at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston.

Haley gave a pen used to sign the bill to a representative of each family who “showed the world what true forgiveness and grace looked like”. But some expressed sadness that part of their heritage is being threatened. “And while we can not bring their loved ones back, they have given us those gifts that will last forever”.

“As far as who is offended and who is not offended, again, every Iowan will have their right to be offended or not be offended by the action or by a certain symbol, whatever that symbol might be”, she said. Any changes could have delayed the flag’s removal and blunted momentum for change.

After over ten hours of contentious debate, the South Carolina House voted overwhelmingly to remove the Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds.

As House members deliberated well into the night, there were tears of anger and shared memories of Civil War ancestors.

This week, Confederate flag supporter Nelson Waller stood outside the Statehouse in his rebel flag tie and rallied to save the banner. That event kicked started the debate about race and the flag’s continued place on government land.

Black Democrats, frustrated at being asked to honor those who fought for slavery, offered their own family histories.

Black lawmakers told their own stories. “I think it’s really important”, said USA Rep. Marc Veasey, D-Fort Worth “I believe that it’s long overdue, and I believe it’s time we finally move on”. Neal said.

Rep. Jenny Horne, R-Summerville, speaks in favor of taking down the…

“For the widow of Sen”.

A House vote originally scheduled Thursday afternoon would have challenged a recently passed amendment to do away with all sales of Confederate memorabilia and displays within national parks and cemeteries, but it was pulled due to a lack of votes.

Rep. Mike Pitts recalled playing with a Confederate ancestor’s cavalry sword while growing up. “Should we remove him from the statehouse?” said Hogan.