As early as the Monday following the June 17th attack, there were several reports of both political and business entities debating the continued use or promotion of the flag, and more than a handful have already taken action in disassociating with it. Speaking with the Wall Street Journal regarding the recent actions, David Beasley, the former Republican governor of South Carolina said “It’s amazing the difference today compared to 15 years ago… People 15 to 20 years ago that would have said no way are now saying it’s a good idea. The others are saying it is time now to do it.â€
Showing the haste in response to last week’s massacre, on Monday, South Carolina Rep. Gov. Nikki Haley called for the Confederate battle flag to be taken down from the Statehouse grounds, and the following day South Carolina’s Senate introduced a bill to remove the flag. “We are not going to allow this symbol to divide us any longer,†Ms. Haley said as she spoke in the statehouse lobby. “My hope is that by removing a symbol that divides us, we can move forward as a state in harmony, and we can honor the nine blessed souls,†she added. In Mississippi, the only remaining state to display the battle emblem on its banner, the Speaker of the House Rep. Phillip Gunn called for its removal from his state flag.
In a statement in response to the actions of various politicians, the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund President and Director-Counsel Sherrilyn Ifill issued a statement, saying, “The recent images of the confessed killer Dylann Roof draped in imagery of the confederate flag, both in person and on his vehicle, demonstrate the dangerous message sent when the flag is displayed as the backdrop of our nation’s public institutions… We can no longer deny the impact that the confederate flag has in promulgating hate and extremism directed at African-Americans. This flag should never be visible in public spaces that are supposed to represent all citizens…â€
Today, an additional report surfaced that Alabama Gov. Rep. Robert Bentley ‘ordered the removal of four Confederate-era flags from the grounds of the state Capitol’ in the early hours of the morning.
In a statement released by NAACP President and CEO Cornell William Brooks, he says – “Removing the Confederate flag in this moment is not only ethically right but unequivocally American. The Southern region of our country is known for its hospitality. Nothing is more hospitable than creating an environment of inclusion for people of all races, colors, creeds and faiths.â€