In the wake of the tragic shooting at a black church in Charleston, state leaders and civil rights activists have reignited the debate over the Confederate flag, which currently flies at the Confederate Memorial on State House grounds on Gervais Street in Columbia. And just Monday afternoon, Gov. Nikki Haley called for the flag to be removed from the State House grounds, saying she will call back the General Assembly in several weeks for a special session to deal with the issue.
Supporters argue that the flag is a symbol of heritage and of soldiers, white and black, who fought for the Confederacy. Opposers argue that the flag is a symbol of hate and oppression, particularly of African Americans, and that it was only placed atop the State House itself in the early 1960s as an affront to the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement. What are your thoughts?
Explain in the comments. And vote: Should the Confederate Flag be removed from the State House grounds? If so, where should it go?
Comments may be used in a special soundoff section in Thursday's Manning Times.
