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| South Carolina takes down Confederate flag – as it happened | South Carolina takes down Confederate flag – as it happened |
| (7 months later) | |
| 4.14pm BST | |
| 16:14 | |
| We’re going to close our coverage of the ceremony in Columbia, where the Confederate flag was officially removed from the statehouse premises for the first time in more than 50 years. You can read a full version of the story by my colleague Amanda Holpuch here. | We’re going to close our coverage of the ceremony in Columbia, where the Confederate flag was officially removed from the statehouse premises for the first time in more than 50 years. You can read a full version of the story by my colleague Amanda Holpuch here. |
| As a crowd of mostly anti-flag demonstrators cheered, cried and applauded, a squad of the South Carolina highway patrol honor guard spun down the flag, folded it and delivered it into the hands of a museum director. Governor Nikki Haley, who signed the law ordering the flag’s removal on Thursday, looked on from the statehouse steps. | As a crowd of mostly anti-flag demonstrators cheered, cried and applauded, a squad of the South Carolina highway patrol honor guard spun down the flag, folded it and delivered it into the hands of a museum director. Governor Nikki Haley, who signed the law ordering the flag’s removal on Thursday, looked on from the statehouse steps. |
| Leaders praised the flag’s removal, with Barack Obama calling it “a meaningful step towards a better future” and representative James Clyburn saying “an era of division is over.” | Leaders praised the flag’s removal, with Barack Obama calling it “a meaningful step towards a better future” and representative James Clyburn saying “an era of division is over.” |
| The removal of the flag is a victory for activists who have protested the flag as an emblem of racism inextricably linked to the cruelties of the slaveholding south. Although a campaign has simmered for decades to remove the flag from public spaces in South Carolina and other former secessionist states, it gained extraordinary impetus following the murder of nine black people at a Charleston church, by a gunman believed to espouse racist beliefs. | The removal of the flag is a victory for activists who have protested the flag as an emblem of racism inextricably linked to the cruelties of the slaveholding south. Although a campaign has simmered for decades to remove the flag from public spaces in South Carolina and other former secessionist states, it gained extraordinary impetus following the murder of nine black people at a Charleston church, by a gunman believed to espouse racist beliefs. |
| 3.50pm BST | |
| 15:50 | |
| Matthew Teague, reporting for the Guardian from Columbia, sends a photo of the scene right before the flag came down, with a crew of politicians and staffers have assembled on the State House steps and the crowd chanting, “Take it down.” | Matthew Teague, reporting for the Guardian from Columbia, sends a photo of the scene right before the flag came down, with a crew of politicians and staffers have assembled on the State House steps and the crowd chanting, “Take it down.” |
| And a poignant photo from an activist: the faces and names of the nine people whose deaths began the conversation to take down the Confederate symbol. | And a poignant photo from an activist: the faces and names of the nine people whose deaths began the conversation to take down the Confederate symbol. |
| The Cost. pic.twitter.com/c9Qvj8tpxz | The Cost. pic.twitter.com/c9Qvj8tpxz |
| Updated | |
| at 3.50pm BST | |
| 3.31pm BST | |
| 15:31 | |
| The battle over symbols of the Confederacy – their meaning, their place, their characterization – is far from over. Debates have begun again in Mississippi and Louisiana, and a controversial monument remains even on the ground of the South Carolina statehouse where the battle flag just went down. | The battle over symbols of the Confederacy – their meaning, their place, their characterization – is far from over. Debates have begun again in Mississippi and Louisiana, and a controversial monument remains even on the ground of the South Carolina statehouse where the battle flag just went down. |
| From the LA Times: | From the LA Times: |
| State Rep Joseph H Neal, a black Democrat whose ancestors were brought to South Carolina as slaves, has particular concerns about the statue of a resolute-looking Benjamin Tillman. An inscription eulogizes Tillman as a patriot, statesman, governor and US senator who was “the friend and leader of the common people.” | State Rep Joseph H Neal, a black Democrat whose ancestors were brought to South Carolina as slaves, has particular concerns about the statue of a resolute-looking Benjamin Tillman. An inscription eulogizes Tillman as a patriot, statesman, governor and US senator who was “the friend and leader of the common people.” |
| “He built his political career on a call for the genocide of black people in South Carolina,” Neal said Thursday. “He said, ‘Kill ’em all.’” | “He built his political career on a call for the genocide of black people in South Carolina,” Neal said Thursday. “He said, ‘Kill ’em all.’” |
| Tillman also advocated repealing the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that guaranteed blacks the right to vote, and was a member of an all-white militia responsible for lynchings. | Tillman also advocated repealing the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that guaranteed blacks the right to vote, and was a member of an all-white militia responsible for lynchings. |
| Neal doesn’t want to remove the statue. He would rather add a placard that accurately reflects Tillman’s legacy as “a monster.” | Neal doesn’t want to remove the statue. He would rather add a placard that accurately reflects Tillman’s legacy as “a monster.” |
| 3.21pm BST | |
| 15:21 | |
| Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina’s sixth district. | Representative James Clyburn of South Carolina’s sixth district. |
| An era of division is over. South Carolina's Statehouse will no longer fly the Confederate Battle Flag. #ItCameDown | An era of division is over. South Carolina's Statehouse will no longer fly the Confederate Battle Flag. #ItCameDown |
| I look forward to the citizens of South Carolina being one under one flag, the American Flag. #ItCameDown #OneSC | I look forward to the citizens of South Carolina being one under one flag, the American Flag. #ItCameDown #OneSC |
| And activist DeRay McKesson, who’s made a name for himself in the protest movement that’s emerged from the police killings of unarmed black people in the last year. | And activist DeRay McKesson, who’s made a name for himself in the protest movement that’s emerged from the police killings of unarmed black people in the last year. |
| It is important that the flag came down today in South Carolina. Symbols of hate must be removed. The work continues, the fight endures. | It is important that the flag came down today in South Carolina. Symbols of hate must be removed. The work continues, the fight endures. |
| 3.17pm BST | |
| 15:17 | |
| The president weighs in. | The president weighs in. |
| South Carolina taking down the confederate flag - a signal of good will and healing, and a meaningful step towards a better future. | South Carolina taking down the confederate flag - a signal of good will and healing, and a meaningful step towards a better future. |
| 3.14pm BST | |
| 15:14 | |
| The officers turn in unison, with one holding the flag at their head, and they begin their rigid march back toward the statehouse steps. | The officers turn in unison, with one holding the flag at their head, and they begin their rigid march back toward the statehouse steps. |
| The director of the Confederate relic and history museum takes the flag from the officer and leaves under guard. The governor shakes hands with the men and women around her, and the crowd continues its giddy cheering and applause. | The director of the Confederate relic and history museum takes the flag from the officer and leaves under guard. The governor shakes hands with the men and women around her, and the crowd continues its giddy cheering and applause. |
| 3.12pm BST | |
| 15:12 | |
| The honor guard of the state highway patrol are now folding the flag ceremonially, as the crowd chants “USA” and “nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, goodbye.” | The honor guard of the state highway patrol are now folding the flag ceremonially, as the crowd chants “USA” and “nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, goodbye.” |
| 3.10pm BST | |
| 15:10 | |
| Confederate flag taken down | Confederate flag taken down |
| One opens a gate for another, and they turn a winch on the flag pole. | One opens a gate for another, and they turn a winch on the flag pole. |
| The flag comes down to massive applause and cheering. | The flag comes down to massive applause and cheering. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.11pm BST | |
| 3.09pm BST | |
| 15:09 | |
| Officers of what appear to be the highway patrol are marching out onto the lawn now in rigid steps. They take positions around the flag. | Officers of what appear to be the highway patrol are marching out onto the lawn now in rigid steps. They take positions around the flag. |
| Updated | |
| at 3.09pm BST | |
| 3.06pm BST | |
| 15:06 | |
| There’s a crowd of several hundred people around the statehouse, most of whom cordoned away from the square where the Confederate flag flies. | There’s a crowd of several hundred people around the statehouse, most of whom cordoned away from the square where the Confederate flag flies. |
| Over the live stream there are several competing chants, but only “take it down!” is intelligible. Governor Nikki Haley has arrived, but there’s till no activity on the lawn. | Over the live stream there are several competing chants, but only “take it down!” is intelligible. Governor Nikki Haley has arrived, but there’s till no activity on the lawn. |
| 2.58pm BST | |
| 14:58 | |
| A few people are chanting “take it down,” reports the New York Times’ Alan Blinder. | A few people are chanting “take it down,” reports the New York Times’ Alan Blinder. |
| Rebel flag in its final minutes of flight outside the South Carolina State House. pic.twitter.com/XuIMusVUoU | Rebel flag in its final minutes of flight outside the South Carolina State House. pic.twitter.com/XuIMusVUoU |
| 2.54pm BST | |
| 14:54 | |
| Once and future flag events, via Kyle Jordan of Charleston’s Live5News. | Once and future flag events, via Kyle Jordan of Charleston’s Live5News. |
| July 1, 2000 - The last time #ConfederateFlag moved at SC statehouse #scnews #chsnews #TBT https://t.co/MeQc0zRIeN pic.twitter.com/GeEEQHVYQn | July 1, 2000 - The last time #ConfederateFlag moved at SC statehouse #scnews #chsnews #TBT https://t.co/MeQc0zRIeN pic.twitter.com/GeEEQHVYQn |
| Family members of Emanuel AME and lawmakers outside statehouse to see #ConfederateFlag come down. #chsnews #scnews pic.twitter.com/iMhFR6bURZ | Family members of Emanuel AME and lawmakers outside statehouse to see #ConfederateFlag come down. #chsnews #scnews pic.twitter.com/iMhFR6bURZ |
| 2.49pm BST | |
| 14:49 | |
| Beyond whatever solemn pomp is planned for this morning’s ceremony, it’s not actually clear how officials will take down the flag: it has no rope or pulley, apparently designed as such to prevent opponents from pulling it down more frequently. | Beyond whatever solemn pomp is planned for this morning’s ceremony, it’s not actually clear how officials will take down the flag: it has no rope or pulley, apparently designed as such to prevent opponents from pulling it down more frequently. |
| Per the New York Times: | Per the New York Times: |
| Part of the mystery is practical: The pole to which the flag is attached appears to have no mechanism — no winch, pulley, or rope — that a person on the ground might use to bring it down. Some have speculated that this design was all part of the passion that surrounds anything to do with the battle flag, which had originally flown over the State House but was moved to the pole, next to a Confederate soldiers’ memorial, after a bitter debate and political compromise in 2000. | Part of the mystery is practical: The pole to which the flag is attached appears to have no mechanism — no winch, pulley, or rope — that a person on the ground might use to bring it down. Some have speculated that this design was all part of the passion that surrounds anything to do with the battle flag, which had originally flown over the State House but was moved to the pole, next to a Confederate soldiers’ memorial, after a bitter debate and political compromise in 2000. |
| Two weeks ago an activist needed climbing gear and a friend as spotter to hoist herself up and pull it down (they were promptly arrested). | Two weeks ago an activist needed climbing gear and a friend as spotter to hoist herself up and pull it down (they were promptly arrested). |
| 2.40pm BST | |
| 14:40 | |
| The the statehouse there’re officers from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the director of the Confederate Relic Room (who’ll take once it’s down), and Jesse Jackson. The mayor, two former governors and the interim pastor from Charleston’s Emanuel AME church are all expected as well. | The the statehouse there’re officers from the South Carolina Highway Patrol, the director of the Confederate Relic Room (who’ll take once it’s down), and Jesse Jackson. The mayor, two former governors and the interim pastor from Charleston’s Emanuel AME church are all expected as well. |
| South Carolina is scheduled to lower the Confederate battle flag in less than 30 minutes. pic.twitter.com/qpvPKJeohH | South Carolina is scheduled to lower the Confederate battle flag in less than 30 minutes. pic.twitter.com/qpvPKJeohH |
| Lots of different people here to witness the Confederate Flag coming down pic.twitter.com/o3Ul4dhhLg | Lots of different people here to witness the Confederate Flag coming down pic.twitter.com/o3Ul4dhhLg |
| 2.33pm BST | |
| 14:33 | |
| It’s “a pretty even mix of pro- and anti-flag” in Columbia, where Matthew Teague is in Columbia reporting for the Guardian. | It’s “a pretty even mix of pro- and anti-flag” in Columbia, where Matthew Teague is in Columbia reporting for the Guardian. |
| This gentleman is Ronald Brock, who drove across the continent from California to protest the taking down of the flag. The battle flags on his truck have a script on them reading: “I Ain’t Comin’ Down.” | This gentleman is Ronald Brock, who drove across the continent from California to protest the taking down of the flag. The battle flags on his truck have a script on them reading: “I Ain’t Comin’ Down.” |
| Then there’s Charlene Stoll Hale, who is fairly representative of the pro-flag contingent. She’s from Lexington, SC. | Then there’s Charlene Stoll Hale, who is fairly representative of the pro-flag contingent. She’s from Lexington, SC. |
| “I’m here to honor my three great-grandfathers who fought in the civil war.” | “I’m here to honor my three great-grandfathers who fought in the civil war.” |
| What about the fact that they were fighting to preserve slavery? Does the flag carry no racist overtones? | What about the fact that they were fighting to preserve slavery? Does the flag carry no racist overtones? |
| “It may for some people, but not for me.” | “It may for some people, but not for me.” |
| 2.17pm BST | |
| 14:17 | |
| The Confederate flag will be taken down from South Carolina’s capitol today, less than a month after nine black people were killed at a historic church, a half-century after lawmakers raised the flag in protest to desegregation, and more than 150 years after the state seceded from the union in a war that abolished the right to own slaves there. | The Confederate flag will be taken down from South Carolina’s capitol today, less than a month after nine black people were killed at a historic church, a half-century after lawmakers raised the flag in protest to desegregation, and more than 150 years after the state seceded from the union in a war that abolished the right to own slaves there. |
| On Thursday Governor Nikki Haley signed the law that will remove the flag at a ceremony around 10am ET, following 15 hours of debate by lawmakers as to the flag’s meaning as a symbol of slavery or an artifact of heritage. | On Thursday Governor Nikki Haley signed the law that will remove the flag at a ceremony around 10am ET, following 15 hours of debate by lawmakers as to the flag’s meaning as a symbol of slavery or an artifact of heritage. |
| “The Confederate flag is coming off the grounds of the South Carolina statehouse,” Haley said at a signing ceremony. “It’s hard for us to look at what is happening today and not think back to 22 days ago. It seems like so long ago because the grieving has been so hard.” | “The Confederate flag is coming off the grounds of the South Carolina statehouse,” Haley said at a signing ceremony. “It’s hard for us to look at what is happening today and not think back to 22 days ago. It seems like so long ago because the grieving has been so hard.” |
| In June, nine black people were murdered during a Bible study session in Charleston, South Carolina, by a gunman believed to have espoused white supremacy. The mass shooting reinvigorated a campaign to remove take down public displays of the flag, with which the shootings suspect posed in photos. | In June, nine black people were murdered during a Bible study session in Charleston, South Carolina, by a gunman believed to have espoused white supremacy. The mass shooting reinvigorated a campaign to remove take down public displays of the flag, with which the shootings suspect posed in photos. |
| The flag will be placed in a Confederate relic room and military museum. | The flag will be placed in a Confederate relic room and military museum. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.18pm BST |