The picture has sparked nationwide outrage, calling for South Carolina to take down the controversial flag that flies over a Confederate monument at the state capitol.
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The Birmingham News reports that workers quietly removed the flags at 8:20 a.m. Wednesday and declined to answer questions.
His statement came a day after the CofC Board of Trustees passed a resolution of support of the governor’s call to remove the flag. None did, so he gave the order – not just for the lone Confederate flag at the memorial, but as reporters later witnessed, for the rest of the flags on display.
Bentley spokeswoman Jennifer Ardis tells The Associated Press that Bentley didn’t want their presence to be “a distraction”. “I’m not sure if you’re aware but there are places on the United States Capitol grounds that have the flags of all 50 states, lined up”. When something is no longer made, it becomes somewhat of a collectors item, and prices go up.
“If we start qualifying what history we commemorate, it’s when we lose the big picture, then the rest of it doesn’t make sense”, Blackburn said.
Simelton said the young man responsible for the shooting had no idea what would come of this. “There are a lot of other things we are focused on”.
Outside South Carolina’s Statehouse, hundreds chanted “Bring it down!” He also said dealing with the issue so soon was disrespectful to the victims’ families.
Although the majority of likely voters agree the flag should not fly there, they are split on whether it is a symbol of Southern heritage (43 percent) or hatred (39 percent).
One of the governors, Republican David Beasley, famously lost an election after pushing for the flag’s removal in 1996.
Holmes said he called Gov. Bentley on the removal of the flags.
“We played right into his malicious hands”, Summers said. “It’s a great victory and I’m very happy”.
Brooks said he would not “second guess” what state lawmakers in Alabama decide to do.
Sen. Thad Cochran said state symbols should reflect “unity and not divisiveness”. Three other Civil War era flags were also removed.
John Rich appeared on Hannity Tuesday night (June 23) to join in the debate that’s now raging over removing the Confederate flag from the grounds of the South Carolina State House.
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The emblem has divided Mississippi’s elected leaders.
