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[h=4]After Charleston killings, S.C. debates taking down Confederate flag[/h]The battle flag, for many a symbol of hatred, still flies on Statehouse grounds.
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The South Carolina and U.S. flags fly at half-staff atop the Capitol in Columbia. The Confederate flag flies on the statehouse grounds.(Photo: Mladen Antonov, AFP / Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, S.C. -- South South Carolina lawmakers are debating whether to remove the Confederate flag from state government grounds, after Wednesday's killing of nine black church members by a white gunman who allegedly expressed racist sentiments.
Gov. Nikki Haley will speak at 4 p.m., as lawmakers grapple with whether to make a change immediately or wait for what promises to be an emotional debate.
Meanwhile, local officials and national civil rights activists have demanded the flag's removal. President Obama has said the flag should be removed and placed in a museum.
"It's time for the flag to come down," said Marc Morial, president of the National Urban League. "Public sanction of the symbols of division and hatred does not create an atmosphere of reconciliation."
USA TODAY
Tragedy rekindles debate over South Carolina's Confederate flag
Charleston Mayor Joseph Riley Jr., a Democrat, also called for the flag to be taken down.
"The flag got appropriated by hate groups," Riley said. "We can't put it in a public place where it can give any oxygen to hate-filled people."
The Confederate flag became a focus of attention after the Charleston killings Wednesday because it harkens to the Civil War, when slavery ended. Supporters of the flag contend it is historically significant as a memorial to Confederate soldiers who died while fighting for the South, while critics say it promotes racism.
Leland Summers, South Carolina division commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, issued a statement Friday dismissing any connection between the shooting and the flag.
"Do not associate the cowardly actions of a racist to our Confederate banner," Summers said. "There is absolutely no link between the Charleston massacre and the Confederate memorial banner. Don't try to create one."
USA TODAY
Wickham: South Carolina, take down that flag
Dylann Storm Roof, 21, is charged with shooting members – including the Rev. Clementa Pinckney – of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, after complaining that "blacks were taking over the world" and that "someone needed to do something about it for the white race," according to a friend who alerted the FBI. Roof posted pictures of himself holding the Confederate flag.
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South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is expected to call for the Confederate flag to be removed from the state capitol. Kinfay Moroti/USA Today
Stan Seabrook, 53, an instructor at the Air National Guard in Columbia, S.C., works near where Roof lived. Seabrook welcomed the idea that the Confederate flag might be removed.
"The flag, in my opinion, is a divisive symbol," Seabrook, who is black, said. "It means that we can finally heal from all of the racial atrocities that happened in the past."
Chris Culpepper, 21, however, of Eastover, S.C., disagrees. He lives nearby where Roof lived and believes lawmakers may have politically motivated reasons to remove the flag rather than moral ones.
"The Confederate flag was a battle symbol and doesn't have anything to do with racism," Culpepper, who is white, said. "It's something they used for war."
Activists contend that the flag is a symbol of hate.
The Urban League announced Monday a campaign to encourage South Carolina legislators to end public displays of the Confederate flag. The "One Nation, One Flag" campaign will instead seek to promote unity around the U.S. flag, Morial said.
USA TODAY
White House candidates race to distance themselves from white supremacist
The Urban League has declined to hold its conventions in South Carolina until the flag is removed. But Morial pledged Monday to hold its national meeting in the state once the flag is removed from the capitol grounds.
Charleston Trident Urban League President Otha Meadows called the sight of the flag on the grounds of South Carolina's state capitol grounds "salt in our wounds," following the massacre of nine people at the church last week.
"The hollow argument that display of the flag carries no racial animosity is belied by the fact that it was raised over the capitol in 1962, in direct response to the Civil Rights Movement and desegregation," said James McLawhorn Jr., president of Columbia Urban League. "If we are truly to put those dark days behind us, we must put that flag behind us as well."
ONPOLITICS
Republicans again grapple with Confederate flag issue
The battle flag was removed from the Statehouse dome in 2000 in a legislative compromise and raised on a pole near the Confederate Soldiers Monument on the north side of the state house, just steps from Main Street in Columbia. Under terms of the compromise, it can only be removed by a two-thirds vote of the Legislature.
House Speaker Jay Lucas Monday issued a statement Monday asking for lawmakers to quickly resolve the issue.
"The intense and difficult debate that took place in 2000 over the Confederate soldier flag was ultimately resolved by compromise," he said. "Wednesday's unspeakable tragedy has reignited a discussion on this sensitive issue that holds a long and complicated history in the Palmetto State. Moving South Carolina forward from this terrible tragedy requires a swift resolution of this issue."
Key lawmakers said the flag issue should be debated next week when the Legislature convenes for an extra session to complete the budget, after adjourning June 4. It can only take up budget matters unless lawmakers, by a two-thirds vote, agree to consider another piece of legislation.
USA TODAY
Emanuel AME congregants vow to seek justice
Sen. Larry Martin, a Republican who heads Judiciary Committee, said he favors waiting until at least next week to debate the issue.
"Obviously the national view of this that has really spawned over the weekend an even greater understanding of how folks outside our state view us because of its presence on the grounds. I think it's regrettable we would get too caught up in discussing it before the services are held this week, but that's the nature of us being in session," he said.
Another Republican, Sen. Mike Fair, suggested waiting until January to debate the issue.
"There is just no reason to stoke the fire," he said. "It's almost being opportunistic."
The NAACP, which has long called for the flag's removal from the Statehouse grounds, has urged a tourism boycott of the state since the 2000 compromise moved the flag's location.
"The flag must come down," William Cornell Brooks, CEO of the NAACP, said last week during a visit to Charleston. He said the shootings at the Emanuel AME Church are "the act of a racial terrorist and must be treated as such."
Contributing: Donna Leinwand Leger, USA TODAY, and Tim Smith, The Greenville (S.C.) News
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGSouth Carolina govenor to address the Confederate flag issue | 00:19South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley is expected to call for the Confederate flag to be removed from the state capitol. Kinfay Moroti/USA Today
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGLarge crowd gathers as Emanuel AME church holds service | 01:44A message of hope was spread through Emanuel AME Church in Charleston on Sunday. The church held its first worship service since a shooting that left 9 people dead. Even those that had to worship outside were happy to be there. WLTX TV
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGChurch's message of hope rings out in Charleston | 01:10Members of Mother Emanuel AME Church return to service Sunday in Charleston, South Carolina. Thousands of people listened to the service outside the church. Kinfay Moroti/ USA TODAY
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTING1st Church Service Held after Bible Study Attack | 02:05Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church opened its doors on Sunday for the first time following a deadly shooting that killed 9 church members. (June 21) AP
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGRaw: Bells Toll in Honor of Slain Church Members | 01:55Church bells rang throughout Charleston in remembrance of nine people who were slain during a Bible study. (June 21) AP
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTING1st Church Service Held After SC Shooting | 01:42Members of a historic black church worshiped at their sanctuary Sunday for the first time since a gunman opened fire at a Bible study, killing nine people. (June 21) AP
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGFaith leaders hold interfaith, interracial prayer service | 01:42A time of mourning after the Charleston church shooting in South Carolina is bringing people together from different races and religions. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGMass killing alludes to Charleston's historic racial strife | 02:34The mass killing in Charleston, South Carolina alludes to the city's historic racial strife. Local resident share their thoughts on Charleston's past, present and future. VIDEO BY KINFAY MOROTI/USA TODAY
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGRoof's purported manifesto under investigation | 01:04A manifesto purportedly written by accused killer Dylann Roof could explain why Charleston was targeted in the church shootings and what motivated the deadly attack. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGCharleston shooting victims were loved, respected | 01:12Loved ones share their memories of those killed in the shooting at Charleston's Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church as well as their thoughts on the accused killer Dylann Roof. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGCharleston unites to remember church shooting victims | 01:21Charleston residents joined hands and voices at the city's first official vigil following the murders of nine people at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. WCNC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGArmed posses to protect black churches in Arizona | 01:12Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio will send armed posses of volunteers to 60 black churches around Phoenix, following the deadly attack on a historically black church in Charleston. Arpaio's office has previously been accused of racial profiling. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGCharleston shooting shines spotlight on Confederate flag | 01:29The murders of nine African Americans inside a historically black Charleston church have reignited calls to take down the Confederate flag outside South Carolina's Statehouse, but the historic symbol won't come down easily, if it does at all. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGFinding forgiveness in Charleston | 02:20Charleston residents share thier thoughts Friday on forgiving Dylan Roof, who has been charged with nine counts of murder in the shooting at Emanuel AME Church is Charleston, South Carolina. Video by Kinfay Moroti/USA TODAY
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTING'I forgive you.' Charleston victims' families send powerful message | 01:34Family members of the nine victims killed in a shooting at a Charleston church confronted the suspect Dylann Roof in court Friday, sending a powerful and emotional message. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGCharleston mayor: Death penalty likely to be sought | 00:36Charleston, South Carolina Mayor Joseph Riley said although he doesn't condone the death penalty, he thinks prosecutors will seek it in the Emanuel AME church shooting. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGKeeping churches safe: Pastors seek help after shooting | 01:08In the aftermath of the Charleston, S.C. shooting, a North Carolina police department is offering special training sessions for religious leaders who want to know how to bette keep their congregations safe. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGImages of Dylann Roof suggest racist ideology | 00:56The 21-year-old man accused of killing nine people as they worshiped at a Charleston, South Carolina church has a criminal past. Dylann Roof was arrested twice this year and images of him posted to social media seem to show a racist ideology. WCNC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGShooting victims' families to Dylann Roof: We 'forgive you' | 07:04Dylann Roof, the suspect in the mass shootings that killed nine at a Charleston church, appeared in court for his bond hearing Friday. Family members of the victims addressed Roof emotionally, and said that they "forgive" him and "hate won't win." USA TODAY
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGCharleston youths coping with aftermath of church shooting | 01:18Families talk about the challenges of explaining the Charleston church shooting to young children. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGDylann Roof led from station in bullet proof vest | 00:43Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old accused of shooting and killing nine people at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC is led out of the Shelby, NC Police Dept. in handcuffs and a bullet proof vest. He was caught in Shelby with the help of a tip. WCNC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGMemorial grows in Charleston one day after shooting | 00:40A memorial for the nine people who died at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston when a gunman opened fire on a prayer service is growing, as people gather to pay tribute to the dead while focusing on healing. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGJon Stewart skips jokes, gets serious about Charleston | 01:37Jon Stewart's latest 'Daily Show' appearance was a somber one — in the wake of the tragedy in Charleston, South Carolina, where Dylann Roof is accused of killing six women and three men Wednesday, Stewart decided to forego his usual jokes completely. USA TODAY
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGFlorist's tip led to capture of Charleston shooting suspect | 01:49The suspect in the mass shotting at a Charleston church, Dylann Storm Roof, was captured in Shelby, North Carolina, thanks to a tip from a local florist. WCNC-TV
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGNighttime images of a church shattered by shooting | 00:39Night at Emanuel A.M.E Church in Charleston, South Carolina is filled with despair, remembrance and small flames of hope, Video by Kinfay Moroti/USA TODAY USA TODAY
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGHundreds gather at Charleston church to pay respect | 01:48Members of a neighboring church attended a special service before walking over to the Emanuel AME church to pay their respect to the victims lost in the mass shooting. WCNC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGCharleston shooting victims include pastors, recent grad | 04:52The community of Charleston, SC is coming together to remember the lives of those killed inside the Emanuel AME Church. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGCharleston residents struggle to understand shooting | 01:08Scenes from the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Thursday in Charleston, South Carolina. Nine people were killed in a mass shooting Wednesday during service. Kinfay Moroti, Gannett
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGHistoric black churches rethink security after shooting | 01:49On the heels of the Charleston, South Carolina church massacre, historic black churches in Atlanta not only grieve, but rethink security measures. WXIA-TV, Atlanta
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGA 'heartbroken' Charleston gathers to mourn shooting victims | 00:57Hundreds gathered to pay tribute to the nine victims of a church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGSuspect arrested in Charleston church shooting | 00:39Charleston authorities have arrested 21-year-old Dylann Roof in connection with the killing of nine people at Emanuel AME church. Roof was arrested during a traffic stop in Shelby, North Carolina. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGRaw: See people praying, hugging outside of SC church | 00:55The community of Charleston, South Carolina is coming together to mourn the victim's of the Emaneul AME Church shooting. USA TODAY
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGPinckney colleague: 'Biggest heart you could imagine' | 01:25South Carolina state senators became emotional during Thursday's session as they reflected on slain state Senator Clementa Pinckney, who was among those killed in the Charleston church shooting. His chair was draped in black fabric in his absence. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGObama: I've made statements like this 'too many times' | 02:20President Obama spoke about the tragedy at a church in Charleston, S.C., saying he's made a speech like this too often. The president says he knew the pastor who was killed at the Emanuel AME church, where 9 people were killed while praying. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGGov. Haley cries: 'Heart and soul of S.C. was broken' | 01:25South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley got emotional while speaking at a press conference about the massacre at Emanuel AME church in Charleston where a gunman opened fire at a prayer service killing nine people. WLTX
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGAttorney General: Charleston shooting 'barbaric' | 01:24Speaking at a press conference, U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch called the shooting that killed 9 people at Emanuel AME church in Charleston, South Carolina both "barbaric" and "heartless." VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGSlain pastor Clementa Pinckney will be 'sorely missed' | 01:07Pastor Clementa Pinckney is among those killed in a shooting at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston. The 41-year-old was also serving as a South Carolina state senator at the time of his death. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGCharleston police: 'We will catch' church shooter | 01:12Chief Gregory Mullen emphasized his department's commitment to catching the man suspected of killing nine people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. Police confirm they currently do not know where the suspect is. WLTX TV
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGPastor killed in church massacre was a 'leader' | 01:01After news of South Carolina state senator and pastor Clementa Pinckney's death at the hands of a gunman at his Charleston church, fellow State Senator Kevin Johnson said Pinckney had a passion for the less fortunate in his state. WLTX
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTING9 dead in Charleston after church massacre | 00:58Nine people, including state senator Celementa Pinckney, were killed during a shooting at a historic black church in Charleston, S.C. Pinckney was also the pastor of the church. Police say the shooting was a hate crime. VPC
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGSen. killed in church wanted 'people to feel safe' there | 00:30The S.C. state Senator and pastor killed when a gunman shot up his Charleston church was an advocate for safe churches. In the state legislator in 2013, Sen. Clementa Pinckney supported a bill that would expand penalties for church vandalism. WLTX
CHARLESTON, S.C. CHURCH SHOOTINGPolice: Charleston church shooting was a hate crime | 00:54Authorities are looking for a young white man in connection to the massacre at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC where a gunman opened fire, killing nine people. WLTX TV
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Stan Seabrook, 53, an instructor at the Air National Guard in Columbia, S.C., works near where Roof lived. Seabrook welcomed the idea that the Confederate flag might be taken off of State Capitol grounds.
"The flag, in my opinion, is a divisive symbol," Seabrook, who is black, said. "It means that we can finally heal from all of the racial atrocities that happened in the past."
Chris Culpepper, 21, however, of Eastover, S.C., disagrees. He lives nearby where Roof lived and believes lawmakers may have politically motivated reasons to remove the flag rather than moral ones.
"The Confederate flag was a battle symbol and doesn't have anything to do with racism," Culpepper, who is white, said. "It's something they used for war."
Stan Seabrook, 53, an instructor at the Air National Guard in Columbia, S.C., works near where Roof lived. Seabrook welcomed the idea that the Confederate flag might be taken off of State Capitol grounds.
"The flag, in my opinion, is a divisive symbol," Seabrook, who is black, said. "It means that we can finally heal from all of the racial atrocities that happened in the past."
Chris Culpepper, 21, however, of Eastover, S.C., disagrees. He lives nearby where Roof lived and believes lawmakers may have politically motivated reasons to remove the flag rather than moral ones.
"The Confederate flag was a battle symbol and doesn't have anything to do with racism," Culpepper, who is white, said. "It's something they used for war."
Stan Seabrook, 53, an instructor at the Air National Guard in Columbia, S.C., works near where Roof lived. Seabrook welcomed the idea that the Confederate flag might be taken off of State Capitol grounds.
"The flag, in my opinion, is a divisive symbol," Seabrook, who is black, said. "It means that we can finally heal from all of the racial atrocities that happened in the past."
Chris Culpepper, 21, however, of Eastover, S.C., disagrees. He lives nearby where Roof lived and believes lawmakers may have politically motivated reasons to remove the flag rather than moral ones.
"The Confederate flag was a battle symbol and doesn't have anything to do with racism," Culpepper, who is white, said. "It's something they used for war."
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