Confederate flag over SC capitol causes controversy

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Confederate flag flying at South Carolina's state capitol has once again started the controversy over its display.
 
Gov. Nikki Haley ordered all flags be flown at half-staff following Wednesday's tragic shooting in Charleston involving nine black victims.
 
But the capitol's Confederate flag remains at full-staff Friday.
 
"The flag is fine but should be in a museum, not on State House grounds at all," Tom Charles, of Columbia, said.
 
It offends others.
 
"That is a symbol of a legacy of hate," Rock Hill teacher Ayende Alcala.
 
He can't believe it hasn't been lowered.
 
"Even in a tragedy when we lower our flags, the one thing that stands high and supreme is that ideology of hate," Alcala said.
 
The governor cannot order the Confederate flag to be lowered like the U.S. and state flags.
 
That is more of an unchanging memorial and it would take an act of the Legislature to lower it.
 
It's never been lowered before, as far as York County Sen. Robert Hayes knows.
 
There may be good reason.
 
"I think by asking to do that, you'd be acknowledging it has some significance other than as historical," Hayes said.
 
He thinks the Legislature would listen if people are calling for change.
 
Colin Downs thinks the flag just needs to be taken off public property. He's tired of South Carolina being criticized because of it.

"I think me and some others are frustrated by folks who have no connection to this community," Downs said. "Suffering like this, using this as an opportunity to trumpet their own moral self-righteousness."

The South Carolina Legislature adjourned Thursday and will return Tuesday.

WSOC