Activist Bree Newsome was arrested this weekend for removing the Confederate flag in front of the South Carolina statehouse. She physically climbed the pole to remove the controversial banner in the wake of the tragic shootings that killed nine black men and women at the historic Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina — including pastor and State Senator Clementa Pinckney.
”We removed the flag today, because we can’t wait any longer,” Newsome said in a written statement on Saturday. “We can’t continue like this another day. It’s time for a new chapter where we are sincere about dismantling white supremacy and building toward true racial justice and equality.” The flag has since been replaced. A show of support quickly spread, with everyone from director Ava DuVernay expressing her support for Newsome to progressive social change organization CREDO Action, which founded an Indiegogo campaign to bail the activist out of jail. The $20,000 goal was met and exceeded within hours.
The debate over the Confederate battle flag continues to swirl, as pro-flag supporters rallied at the same spot this weekend.