Kasich backs South Carolina call for Confederate flag removal
Less than a week after an apparent racist shot nine African-Americans dead inside of a Charleston church, South Carolina’s governor is calling for the removal of the Confederate flag from the grounds of the state capitol. The flag, cited by some in the South as a symbol of heritage, is looked at by many others as a violent symbol of hate. Its place of prominence in South Carolina has been a hotly debated issue for decades. (In some cases where elected officials have spoken up for its removal, those politicians have been promptly voted out of office.)
On Monday, Governor Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott and Senator Lindsey Graham (all Republicans) joined with other state leaders (of both parties) in calling for the flag’s removal.
“The murderer, now locked up in Charleston, said he hoped his actions would start a race war. We have an opportunity to show that not only was he wrong, but that just the opposite is happening. My hope is that by removing a symbol that divides us, we can move our state forward in harmony, and we can honor the nine blessed souls who are now in heaven.”
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley (R)
The governor’s statement was widely met with praise.
“I fully support Governor Haley’s leadership today in calling for the flag to come down. Like Governor Haley, I believe the flag should come down.”
Ohio Governor John Kasich (R)
In other news related to the Confederate flag on Monday, the speaker of Mississippi’s House of Representatives called for the image of that flag to be removed from his state’s flag. And Walmart, the country’s largest retailer, announced that they would no longer sell any items baring the image of the Confederate flag. (jj)
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