Nikki Haley, the first female governor of South Carolina, called on lawmakers on Monday to take down the Confederate Battle flag at the capitol grounds. The decision came in the midst of protests from a community that is still reeling from the massacre of black worshippers at a historic church.
The governor stated that despite the historical significance of the Confederate flag, it has become a "deeply offensive symbol of a brutally offensive past" after the massacre committed by a white gunman, 21-year old Dylann Roof, according to The New York Times. "The events of this week call upon us to look at this in a different way," she said.
Authorities are investigating the brutal attack on Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church as an act of terrorism and a hate crime. Pictures of the gunman posing with the Confederate flag have been posted online, according to Reuters.
The statement was delivered at a news conference, while Gov. Haley was surrounded by Democrat and Republican lawmakers. Both of the state's U.S. senators, Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, were also in attendance, reports The New York Times.
"Today we are here in a moment of unity in our state, without ill will, to say it's time to move the flag from the capitol grounds," Gov. Haley said.
"The flag, while an integral part of our past, does not represent the future of our great state," she added.
Senator Marlon Kimpson, an African-American Senator, believes that the Gov. Haley's decision is a step in the right direction.
"Ridding the flag from the front of the State House is a start," he said.
