South Carolina Removes Confederate Flag

June 17, 2015, approximately three weeks ago Senator Clementa Pinckney and eight others were brutally assassinated in Emanuel Church on Calhoun Street, in Charleston, SC. This morning at approximately 1:11 am, the SC House voted to permanently remove the Confederate Flag from the State House grounds, there was also a second vote that would place the rebel flag in the Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum.

In a response to the 2 bills passed early this morning, Gov. Nikki Haley issued the following statement: “It’s a new day in South Carolina, a day we can all be proud of, a day that truly brings us all together as we continue to heal, as one people and one state.” Haley has five days after the bill has been ratified, to sign and approve this bill.

The highlight of this week between both the Senate and House debates happened late last night as South Carolina Representative Jenny Horne delivered an emotional and stern response to House members. In a moment of clarity and passion, Senator Horne stated, “I cannot believe that we do not have the heart in this body to do something meaningful, such as take a symbol of hate off these grounds on Friday. If we amend this bill, we are telling the people of Charleston, ‘we don’t care about you. We do not care that somebody used a symbol of hate to slay nine innocent people who were worshipping their God.” Horne’s frustrations were followed by a standing ovation on the floor of the House of Representatives.

After years of South Carolina residents fighting to have this flag removed, today marks a historical day for the state. So, What’s next South Carolina?