South Carolina votes to remove Confederate flag from state building grounds

South Carolina votes to remove Confederate flag from state building grounds
By Euronews
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The Confederate flag which flies over South Carolina’s statehouse grounds is set to come down after the legislature voted to remove it early on

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The Confederate flag which flies over South Carolina’s statehouse grounds is set to come down after the legislature voted to remove it early on Thursday (July 9) morning.

It followed a 13-hour long debate between House Republicans and Democrats who eventually passed the bill 94-20. The bill will now be passed to Governor Nikki Haley to be signed into law later in the day.

The flag, which dates back to the American Civil War (1861-65) had become synonymous with slavery and racism for many and a symbol of Southern heritage for others.

Debate over the flag received renewed scrutiny following the massacre of nine black worshippers during Bible study in a church with a historically black congregation in Charleston. The accused gunman was seen posing with the Confederate flag in a photo posted on a website, setting out a racist manifesto.

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