South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (R) called for the Confederate flag to be removed from statehouse grounds in a news conference Monday, joining a chorus of politicians and community members who have renewed the debate following last week's deadly shooting in a historically black Charleston church.
"Today, we are here in a moment of unity in our state, without ill will, to say it's time to move the flag from the capitol grounds," Haley said, adding that the flag will remain "part of the soil" in the state.
Haley was joined by Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott, in addition to local legislators. Graham had previously told CNN the Confederate flag "works" for South Carolina.
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Haley herself doesn't have the legal authority to remove the flag, which is considered a statehouse monument, but she has called for state lawmakers to do so this summer.
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