Sons of Confederate Veterans speak out on State House grounds

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COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– On Thursday, the Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans gathered the group in front of the Confederate flag on State House grounds to speak out about the Charleston Shootings. “To remove this flag, to remove this monument, it would dishonor not only white confederate soldiers but it would dishonor black confederate soldiers,” said Commander, Leland Summers. As South Carolina prepares to lay the 9 victims of the Charleston church massacre to rest, the controversy continues over the confederate flag flying high over the State House grounds. “Attempting to use this horrible crime that occurred in Emanuel Baptist Church to remove historical markers and monuments and to deface them is despicable, shameful, and disrespects them,” said Summers. All week we have been hearing remarks from local citizens and federal lawmakers about taking the flag down. “The fact of the matter is for I think a majority of the people in this state, the flag stands for division and racism,” said Tom Clements, in favor of removing the flag. On Thursday, Summers and his group stood in front of the Confederate Monument for the press conference. While this is an important issue, Summers said now is not the time for debate, but rather a time to show respect to the Emanuel 9 and their families. “We can not take away their hurt, but we will hurt with them,” said Summers. The Sons of Confederate Veterans said this week they will remain silent about the confederate flag while the victims families mourn their loved ones. However, they said if lawmakers do remove the flag, they do have a plan. The details of that plan are not being revealed. The Sons of Confederate Veterans Commander tells ABC Columbia they grieve today with each family of the victims in the Charleston Church shootings. He went on to say “This monument behind me represents every soldier in South Carolina, both black and white”- “This flag, this monument has never put a drop of hate in my confederate heart, because I won’t allow it” The Sons of Confederate Veterans say they have a plan if the legislature votes to take the flag down, but they won’t reveal details of the plan.