Ceremony to remove Confederate Flag

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — A ceremony is set for 10:00 Friday morning to remove the Confederate Flag from State House grounds. The Department of Public Safety says people attending the ceremony will be allowed to stand behind barriers on each side of the Confederate Flag from the front of the State House to Gervais Street and Main Street. City council held an emergency meeting Thursday night with Columbia Police Chief Skip Holbrook to discuss a safety plan. Starting at nine Friday morning, Gervais Street will close from Sumter to Assembly Streets. Main Street to Lady Street with also be shut down. There will be parking available at surrounding city garages. Council members also passed a new ordinance regarding weapons around the State House, effective immediately. A temporary ban on all weapons is in place within 250 feet of the State House grounds. Violators could be fined up to 500 dollars or go to jail for up to 30 days. These restrictions are expected to remain in place during the Ku Klux Klan’s expected rally at the State House on July 18. You can count on ABC Columbia News to bring you live coverage of the flag ceremony Friday morning at 10:00. The ABC Columbia News Team will broadcast live from the State House for the removal ceremony.