Exactly one week ago, Dylan Roof killed nine people at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C. Roof's motive was steeped in racism, something the Confederacy—the Confederate flag, specifically—has undeniable ties to. The massacre at Emanuel AME has resulted in an aggressive revival of debates on whether or not the flag should be taken down from its perch on the state capitol grounds.
Yesterday, the state of South Carolina agreed to at least entertain the debate: they passed an amendment (following a 103-10 vote) allowing the conversation of whether or not the flag should be removed:
Lawmakers will next consider one or more of several proposals currently being discussed around the State House. Whichever emerges as the consensus bill will likely have to go through the full, formal legislative process -- committee mark-up in both the House and the Senate -- before receiving votes for full passage. A two-thirds majority vote in both chambers of the Legislature will be necessary in order for the measure reach Haley's desk and subsequently remove the flag from the Capitol grounds.
Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn denounced the flag earlier this week, saying: "As a Christian, I believe our state's flag has become a point of offense that needs to be removed." While some prominent Republican leaders supported South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's affirmations that the flag should come down, others unsurprisingly disagreed. State Rep. William Chumley was one such voice.
Ah, it was that easy. http://t.co/oodBCXEBJI
— boneystarks (@BoneyStarks) June 24, 2015
Despite Chumley's feelings, the state Senate will still vote on the matter. Just remember, all it took was the murder of nine innocent people to light a fire under the discussion.
[via CNN]