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Nikki Haley And Lindsey Graham Hold Press Conf. On Confederate Flag At SC State Capital

Source: Joe Raedle / Getty

Tuesday, June 23, 2015 5:35 PM EST:

A day after South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley joined the growing list of politicians calling for the removal of the Confederate flag from Statehouse grounds, the state legislature took their first steps to begin the debate around the historic symbol of segregation.

According to NBC, the decision to move forth was propelled by a vote of 103-10 in the House and Senate, a vote that will allow lawmakers to debate the removal of the flag in the coming weeks.

State Sen. Paul Thurmond, a Republican and a son of the late segregationist U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond, said he supported moving the rebel flag to a museum.

“I can respond with love, unity and kindness, and maybe show others that the motivations for a future attack of hate will not be tolerated, will not result in a race war, will not divide us, but rather strengthen our resolve to come together,” he said.

In a Monday news conference, Haley called the battle flag “a symbol that divides us.” Thousands have gathered on Statehouse grounds in the days following the mass shooting at Charleston’s Mother Emanuel AME church to call for the removal of the painful and historic symbol.

This is a developing story.

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Two of the nation’s largest retail companies, Walmart and Sears, have announced that they will no longer carry merchandise bearing the Confederate flag, which has become a centerpiece for discussion as a symbol of the historically racist past throughout the Deep South.

In the days since the Mother Emanuel AME church shooting (in which nine Black churchgoers were killed) last week, the Confederate flag has come under fire after 21-year-old shooting suspect Dylann Roof‘s now-defunct website featured the flag in several photos.

For years, South Carolina activists have taken efforts to have the Confederate flag removed from the State Capitol grounds. This past Monday, governor Nikki Haley announced her support in having the flag taken down.

As reported by CNN, Walmart carried several items that featured the flag, such as belts and shirts. After the news site pushed for a comment from the retail giant, the company responded swiftly.

From CNN:

“We never want to offend anyone with the products that we offer. We have taken steps to remove all items promoting the confederate flag from our assortment — whether in our stores or on our web site,” said Walmart spokesman Brian Nick. “We have a process in place to help lead us to the right decisions when it comes to the merchandise we sell. Still, at times, items make their way into our assortment improperly — this is one of those instances.”

Although Sears does not carry flag merchandise in its physical stores, third-party vendors do sell such material online. Sears Holding Corporation, which oversees Sears and Kmart, says it will ban the sale of the items via those channels.

Adding to the brewing controversy, Republican Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn also said on Monday the Confederate symbols in its state flag should be removed. Gov. Phil Bryant was quoted by The Clarion Ledger stating that the flag’s place in the state is by the “will of the people” and doesn’t expect there to be a vote on its removal.

The state of Virginia is also getting tough on the flag, with Gov. Terry McAuliffe announcing earlier today the removal of the image on vehicle license plates.

SOURCE: CNN, Clarion Ledger, WTVR | PHOTO CREDIT: Getty

SEE ALSO:

SC Gov. Nikki Haley Calls To Remove Confederate Flag From Statehouse Grounds, POTUS Follows Mitt Romney’s Lead

UPDATED: SC Lawmakers Agree To Debate Confederate Flag Removal, Walmart Aims To End Sale Of Flag Merchandise  was originally published on newsone.com