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They say if you want something done, get a (black) woman to do it.

Just after dawn this morning, activist and North Carolina educator Bree Newsome climbed a 30-foot flag pole and snatched the Confederate flag down from the South Carolina Statehouse grounds. It was replaced less than two hours later, reports the New York Daily News.

The Confederate flag, literally enshrined in the Charleston capital grounds because it cannot be lowered by regular means, is seen as a taunting slap in the face to African Americans, many of whom know it to be a symbol of segregation, white supremacy and violence. It is especially galling in light of the recent church murders in the city of Charleston.

The Daily News reports:

A group of about 10 activists orchestrated the flag’s removal after police say white supremacist Dylann Roof killed nine people at Bible study at “Mother” Emanuel Church in Charleston.

“We didn’t see it fit to have the flag stand erect while the people who were massacred were laid to rest under it,” organizer Tamika Lewis told the Daily News as the funerals of the victims started this week.

“We removed the flag today because we can’t wait any longer,” Newsome said in a press release. “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.”

Newsome, who had on a helmet as she made her daring climb, and another activist, James Tyson, were arrested for their roles in the action many are praising on social media.

The hashtag #FreeBree is now trending on Twitter.

SEE ALSO:

Here’s President Obama Singing ‘Amazing Grace’ At Rev. Clementa Pinckney’s Funeral Service

Charleston Council Renames Library To Honor AME Shooting Victim Cynthia Hurd

Find Out More About The Victims Of The Charleston AME Emanuel Church Shooting

Source: The New York Daily News, Photo: Getty Images

 

Black Woman Climbs Flagpole, Snatches Confederate Flag Down From South Carolina Statehouse [VIDEO]  was originally published on newsone.com