Hundreds of people in Columbia, South Carolina, marched to the statehouse to participate in the “Take Down The Flag” rally on Saturday evening (June 20), calling for the removal of the Confederate symbol that hangs over the building. The news follows the racially-charged shooting by gunman Dylann Roof at the Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston (June 17), which left nine African-American people dead.
SEE ALSO: Everything You Should Know About The Charleston, South Carolina Shooting
To protestors and a countless number of Americans across the nation, the history behind the flag feels like a slap in the face to the victims’ families. Although some of those family members and friends have forgiven the gunman, others are looking to get justice by taking down the flag for good.
According to Buzzfeed reporter Joel D. Anderson, a petition to remove the flag has received 300,000 signatures.
Speaker says there’s a petition with 300,000 signatures calling for Gov. Nikki Haley to remove the Confederate flag from statehouse grounds
— Joel D. Anderson (@byjoelanderson) June 20, 2015
SEE ALSO: Nas Speaks Out On Charleston Church Shooting: “Racism Is Rotting America”
Crowd a SC Capitol is several hundred people & about 65% white. Chanting “Take it Down.” #Charleston pic.twitter.com/ha8KkBW5K0
— jelani cobb (@jelani9) June 20, 2015
“Would you fly a swastika?” #TakeItDown rally. pic.twitter.com/gIZbzPUELJ
— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) June 20, 2015
The #TakeItDown rally in Columbia, SC. People calling to take the Confederate flag off state Capitol grounds. pic.twitter.com/AhhufqD9nC
— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) June 20, 2015
Just so you all can see how close the Confederate flag is to the Capitol building. #TakeItDown rally. https://t.co/pNJnjjfDUT
— Colin Daileda (@ColinDaileda) June 20, 2015
On the steps of the South Carolina statehouse. #TakeDownTheFlag pic.twitter.com/zrIvOQEPgF
— Joel D. Anderson (@byjoelanderson) June 20, 2015
SEE ALSO: This Alleged Manifesto By The Charleston Shooter Is Just As Racist And Twisted As You Might Expect
Photo Credit: Getty Images