New Battles Over Battle Flag
South Carolina Saturday became the last state in the union to remove the Confederate flag from its seat of government
CBS News Correspondent Lee Cowan reports the debate over the flag may now move to Georgia and Mississippi, which incorporate the Confederate design in their state flags. Efforts are already underway to change those as well.
South Carolina's version of the flag of the Confederacy, for some a symbol of slavery and others a tribute to their Southern heritage, was lowered at noon by Citadel cadets from the statehouse dome where it had flown for 38 years.
Supporters of the Stars and Bars and others gathered on three sides of the Confederate war memorial as a smaller, square version of the flag was raised by Civil War re-enactors in front of the Statehouse steps.
As the cadets, one black and one white, stood in the dome and lowered the flag, the Palmetto Brigade marched out of the Statehouse with a Confederate battle flag that was hoisted up the newly erected, 30-foot brass flagpole.
Spectators cheered, yelled and booed, all in an orderly fashion, when the American flag and state flag were raised back to the top of the dome. There was a cheer when the battle flag reached the top of the pole.
Police intervened between the two groups. One man was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon.
The black Citadel cadet carried the flag from the dome and presented it to Gov. Jim Hodges. Both cadets wore full dress uniforms. It was Citadel cadets who first fired on Fort Sumter to start the Civil War in 1861.
The House chambers took down the Confederate flag that hung there since 1938 at 7 a.m. Saturday, according to House Sergeant at Arms Mitch Dorman. Like the Senate chambers flag on Friday, the banner was given to the State Museum.
The flags go on display Monday, said museum director Overton G. Gonang.
Before the ceremonies, the NAACP led about 750 people on a silent march to the Capitol building through downtown streets. More than 100 Confederate flag supporters, yelling and shouting, walked alongside the protesters as a line of police stood between the groups. Some of the flag supporters sang Dixie.
Shortly after the ceremonies, which took about 10 minutes, shouting matches broke out between Confederate flag supporters and those against the compromise, who held up yellow signs that said "Shame."
Confederate flag supporters responded with "Off the dome and in your face."
About three or four dozen flag supporters marched through a rally of African-American leaders on the Southside of the statehouse.
"I've got six ancestors that died in the war," said one flag supporter named Lee. "And that's what today is about. Today's about honoring them, and the ones that fought beside 'em."
An African-American in the crowd retorted: "If it's about heritage, then what about our heritage? We make up 30 percent of this state. I think we have some rights, too."
Rased over the Statehouse in 1962, many thought the flag was a symbol of Southern heritage. Others said it is a defiant sign against the civil rights movement.
"There is a very strong sentiment among African-Americans that this flag is an offensive symbol, and they understand its connection with bigotry and oppression in America," said Dwight James, executive director of the state conference of branches of the NAACP.
The civil rights group forced debate this year on the Confederate flag through a tourism boycott of the state. It plans to continue protests until the flag is off Statehouse grounds.
"It's like healing a sick person," said Association member Lonnie Randolph. "If you go to the doctor and don't get well from the first does of medicine, then you have to keep going back and we're going to keep going back."
NAACP officials also said sanctions would be discussed against Georgia and Mississippi to end their use of the Confederate flag at the group's national meeting in Baltimore next week.
Gov. Jim Hodges, the only top official who took part in Saturday's flag relocation ceremony, said most South Carolinians support the compromise that plants the flag at the most visible spot on the Capitol grounds.
"At the end of the day, what has happened is the flag will be removed from the dome," Hodges said. "What's important to recognize is it's a significant step for South Carolina."
CBS Worldwide Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report