The Confederate Flag Vote

On Tuesday, 7 July, the State Senate is expected to give final approval to the proposed bill to remove the flag, flag pole and its surrounding fence from the State House grounds and move them to the Confederate Relic Room. The bill will now go through the State House of Representatives for another vote that could take as early as Wednesday. One of the victims from the Charleston shooting last month was State Senator Clementa Pinckney.

Touching and heartfelt memorials for the slain Senator were a poignant item for the historic vote, and the legislation was moved into a formal vote after a 37-3 overhaul decision. Protestors and State House Representatives showed signs of dissent, proclaiming the flag is still an important cultural item for South Carolina. Senate Majority leader Harvel Peeler (Republican, Cherokee) has stated, ‘Moving the flag won't change history...Do what you think you feel we must for the healing of this state. Do what you think we must do, but you will not accomplish it with an affirmative vote by me lest we forget our ancestors.’

State senators proposed legislation to raise the flag on Confederate Memorial Day only, to create a Civil War memorial with the names of the fallen soldiers and the flag flying over that wall instead, and raise a different Civil War flag alongside the American flag in order to show a different southern historic symbol, all which were all voted no on a majority vote. 

Alexandra Fox

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