Governor Haley calls for removal of Flag

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COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO/AP) – Gov. Nikki Haley is standing with state and federal lawmakers on the removal of the Confederate Flag off State House grounds. Haley says, “Today, we are here in a moment of unity to say it’s time to remove the flag from capitol grounds” Haley said she plans to use her power to call the legislature back for a special session to tackle the Confederate Flag issue. During Monday’s news conference the governor said the Confederate flag `will always be part of the soil of South Carolina,” but she said it’s time to move it from the State House grounds. In addition, Haley asked the focus remain on church shooting victims, not on Confederate flag issue. Haley joined several other local and state leaders calling for the flag to be removed from the State House grounds on Monday. In Charleston, several leaders gathered in support of removing the flag from State House grounds and putting it in a museum. “Put the flag in it’s place of history where it deserves to be, but do not fly it in the face of people who it has a separate meaning for,” said North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey. The flag can not be removed without a two-thirds vote from lawmakers. They go back into session Tuesday. Governor Haley said if necessary, she will use her authority to make sure legislatures tackle this issue this summer. Stay with ABC Columbia for complete coverage.