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South Carolina bill to remove Confederate flag advances | South Carolina bill to remove Confederate flag advances |
(about 11 hours later) | |
South Carolina's Senate has passed a bill to remove the Confederate flag from the state capitol in Columbia. | South Carolina's Senate has passed a bill to remove the Confederate flag from the state capitol in Columbia. |
It was put forward after the flag was linked to a gunman who killed nine people at a Charleston church in June. | It was put forward after the flag was linked to a gunman who killed nine people at a Charleston church in June. |
The bill must now pass by a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives before being sent to the governor for approval. | The bill must now pass by a two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives before being sent to the governor for approval. |
The flag is seen by some as an icon of slavery and racism while others say it symbolises US heritage and history. | The flag is seen by some as an icon of slavery and racism while others say it symbolises US heritage and history. |
The flag was originally the battle flag of the southern states in the American Civil War when they tried to break away. | |
The debate over its use was reignited after Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old charged with killing nine black people on 17 June, was pictured flying the flag. | The debate over its use was reignited after Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old charged with killing nine black people on 17 June, was pictured flying the flag. |
Emotional debate | Emotional debate |
The bipartisan bill would remove the flag from the South Carolina State House, where the legislature sits. | The bipartisan bill would remove the flag from the South Carolina State House, where the legislature sits. |
The bill passed a crucial second reading by an overwhelming vote of 37-3 on Monday after an emotional debate in the state Senate. | The bill passed a crucial second reading by an overwhelming vote of 37-3 on Monday after an emotional debate in the state Senate. |
Several Senators said they had been inspired by the Christian forgiveness displayed by relatives of those who had died at the Emanuel AME Church on 17 June. | Several Senators said they had been inspired by the Christian forgiveness displayed by relatives of those who had died at the Emanuel AME Church on 17 June. |
"If they could be peacemakers in those dire circumstances... I determined I can be a peacemaker when it comes to a flag flying on our State House grounds," Republican Senator Chip Campsen said. | "If they could be peacemakers in those dire circumstances... I determined I can be a peacemaker when it comes to a flag flying on our State House grounds," Republican Senator Chip Campsen said. |
But Senator Lee Bright, also a Republican, said he feared the tragic event was being used to destroy southern history. | But Senator Lee Bright, also a Republican, said he feared the tragic event was being used to destroy southern history. |
"I do understand that what happened in Charleston got a lot of people's attention," he said. "But I believe we're placing the blame of what one deranged lunatic did on people that hold their southern heritage high and I don't think that's fair." | "I do understand that what happened in Charleston got a lot of people's attention," he said. "But I believe we're placing the blame of what one deranged lunatic did on people that hold their southern heritage high and I don't think that's fair." |
The bill now faces a final reading on Tuesday before it is taken up by the lower House of Representatives. | The bill now faces a final reading on Tuesday before it is taken up by the lower House of Representatives. |
Republican Governor Nikki Haley, who must approve the bill for it to come into effect, called for the flag's removal in light of the Charleston attack. | Republican Governor Nikki Haley, who must approve the bill for it to come into effect, called for the flag's removal in light of the Charleston attack. |
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