Her and an accomplice who climbed over a four-foot wrought-iron fence to get to the flag were arrested. She was then arrested without resistance or incident and smiled as she was taken into police custody.
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“We removed the flag today because we cannot wait any longer”.
Newsome scaled the 30-foot flag pole outside the statehouse early this morning, climbing the pole with the help of a harness, which quickly attracted the attention of law enforcement. “We can not continue like this another day”.
Newsome and her spotter, activist James Tyson, were arrested and charged with defacing a monument and booked into jail, WLTX, the Columbia CBS affiliate, reported.
The South Carolina Legislature is expected to begin debate next week on a measure allowing the state to remove the flag from the memorial.
“”Mobile users, tap here to see mugshots of the accused and more photos of the removal/arrest.” We are regular human beings, daughters, sons, mothers, fathers, Carolinians, educators, and activist[s] -both black and white- who believe in the fundamental idea of humanity”, a statement from the unnamed group said.
“After SC refused to take down the flag in time for the funerals, activists took matters into their own hands”, activist group Ferguson Action tweeted. “It’s time for a new chapter where we are honest about dismantling white supremacy and building toward true racial justice and equality”.
Lewis noted that the flag was raised above the capitol in 1961, after African American students marched through the city – and after more than 180 of them were arrested.
Later Saturday, about 50 people who support keeping the flag held a rally at the statehouse. I come against you in the name of God…
The Civil War-era flag has been a focal point for soul-searching across the southern United States in the aftermath of the fatal shooting last week of nine African Americans during a Bible study session at a historic church in Charleston, South Carolina.
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It’s unclear whether more such protests are planned.
