Activists Bree Newsome and James Tyson have been released from jail in Columbia, S.C. following the removal of the Confederate flag that flew above the statehouse (June 27), Democracy Now reports.
SEE ALSO: A Woman Removed The Confederate Flag From South Carolina State House This Morning
Newsome made national headlines earlier today after she scaled the flagpole to take down the symbol that’s been the topic of discussion this month. A countless number of companies from Amazon to Apple have also pulled all merchandise or apps that promote the vision of the Confederate flag, but Newsome’s fearlessness and determination sparked a sense of urgency on the government’s role to erase this item from all areas of the nation.
SEE ALSO: Twitter Erupts In Support Of Bree Newsome Removing The Confederate Flag
The pair were charged with “defacing monuments on state Capitol grounds” but that same charge holds a fine of up to $5,000 in addition to “a prison term of up to three years or both,” USA Today reports.
SEE ALSO: Opinion: Should The N-Word Be Compared To The Confederate Flag?
The NAACP also released a statement on the matter:
For 15 years, the NAACP has called for the removal of the Confederate battle flag and has maintained economic sanctions against the state of South Carolina. The NAACP, Governor Nikki Haley, a bipartisan coalition of policymakers, an expanding number of American businesses, and a courageous young woman named Bree Newsome are all united in opposition to the Confederate flag. Ms. Newsome temporarily removed the flag flying in front of South Carolina’s state house. As well as supporting the permanent removal of the flag legislatively, we commend the courage and moral impulse of Ms. Newsome as she stands for justice like many NAACP activists including Henry David Thoreau, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and numerous Americans who have engaged in civil disobedience. The NAACP calls on state prosecutors to consider the moral inspiration behind the civil disobedience of this young practitioner of democracy. Prosecutors should treat Ms. Newsome with the same large-hearted measure of justice that inspired her actions. The NAACP stands with our youth and behind the multigenerational band of activists fighting the substance and symbols of bigotry, hatred and intolerance.
However, those opposed to the removal of the Confederate flag gathered further down south in Montgomery, Ala. at the capitol building to express their favor for keeping the flag during a “Southerns Rally.”
HAPPENING NOW: Hundreds have gathered at the Alabama Capitol Building for the “Southerns Rally”. pic.twitter.com/ybt7uqh6q6
— WSFA 12 News (@wsfa12news) June 27, 2015
HAPPENING NOW: “Southerns Rally” at the Alabama State Capitol to protest removal of Confederate flags. #ALpolitics pic.twitter.com/LYfZscimeL
— AL Today (@AlabamaToday) June 27, 2015
“Southerns Rally” is being held at the Confederate monument on Capitol grounds. pic.twitter.com/V0fyVXyKnx
— Hannah Lane (@HannahLaneWSFA) June 27, 2015
People chant ‘put the flag back’ at “Southerns Rally” being held at Confederate Monument on Capitol grounds. pic.twitter.com/cxoB3gQFyH
— Hannah Lane (@HannahLaneWSFA) June 27, 2015