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Confederate flag: Calls grow for symbol to be retired Confederate flag: Calls grow for symbol to be retired
(35 minutes later)
A day after lawmakers in South Carolina called for the removal of the Confederate battle flag, pressure is mounting elsewhere in the US to retire symbols of Confederacy.A day after lawmakers in South Carolina called for the removal of the Confederate battle flag, pressure is mounting elsewhere in the US to retire symbols of Confederacy.
Efforts are under way in at least three other states to remove state-sponsored Confederate tributes.Efforts are under way in at least three other states to remove state-sponsored Confederate tributes.
Protesters rallied in South Carolina on Tuesday to demand the immediate removal of the flag from the State House.Protesters rallied in South Carolina on Tuesday to demand the immediate removal of the flag from the State House.
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has said the flag should come down.South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has said the flag should come down.
The Confederate battle flag is seen by some as an icon of slavery and racism while others say the banner symbolises their heritage and history, The Confederate battle flag is seen by some as an icon of slavery and racism while others say the banner symbolises their heritage and history.
Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe announced on Tuesday he wants to have the flag removed from state license plates. A recent US Supreme Court decision said states can restrict such designs.Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe announced on Tuesday he wants to have the flag removed from state license plates. A recent US Supreme Court decision said states can restrict such designs.
In Mississippi, lawmakers plan on rolling out legislation that would remove the Confederate symbol from the state flag, where it is prominently displayed in the upper left corner.In Mississippi, lawmakers plan on rolling out legislation that would remove the Confederate symbol from the state flag, where it is prominently displayed in the upper left corner.
"We must always remember our past, but that does not mean we must let it define us," Mississippi representative Phillip Gunn said. "As a Christian, I believe our state's flag has become a point of offense that needs to be removed. We need to begin having conversations about changing Mississippi's flag.""We must always remember our past, but that does not mean we must let it define us," Mississippi representative Phillip Gunn said. "As a Christian, I believe our state's flag has become a point of offense that needs to be removed. We need to begin having conversations about changing Mississippi's flag."
Former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour said on Tuesday he is "not offended at all" by the Confederate flag. Former Mississippi governor Haley Barbour said on Tuesday he is "not offended at all" by the flag.
Lawmakers in Tennessee said they need to "revisit" whether a bust of a former Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader should be displayed in the capitol.Lawmakers in Tennessee said they need to "revisit" whether a bust of a former Confederate general and Ku Klux Klan leader should be displayed in the capitol.
The likeness of Nathan Bedford Forrest has sat in a state Senate chamber for decades.The likeness of Nathan Bedford Forrest has sat in a state Senate chamber for decades.
The push was not only limited to state governments as Walmart announced on Monday that its stores would stop selling Confederate flag merchandise.
Amid calls for Confederate tributes to be removed, some have been the target of vandals.
In downtown Charleston, a statue of former politician and defender of slavery John C Calhoun was defaced with the word "racist" scrawled underneath.
The murder of nine parishioners at a historical black church in Charleston, South Carolina, last week renewed debate about the place of the flag in US culture.The murder of nine parishioners at a historical black church in Charleston, South Carolina, last week renewed debate about the place of the flag in US culture.
The suspect, Dylann Roof, has appeared in many photos holding the flag.The suspect, Dylann Roof, has appeared in many photos holding the flag.
In South Carolina, the Post and Courier newspaper is asking every state lawmaker whether they support removing the flag. A majority have said they do.In South Carolina, the Post and Courier newspaper is asking every state lawmaker whether they support removing the flag. A majority have said they do.
Removing the flag from the South Carolina state house will not happen immediately.Removing the flag from the South Carolina state house will not happen immediately.
The flag can only be removed by a two-thirds vote of the state legislature.The flag can only be removed by a two-thirds vote of the state legislature.
Some lawmakers in the state are calling for a delay in discussing the matter.Some lawmakers in the state are calling for a delay in discussing the matter.