*Days after scaling a flagpole to remove the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state capital in Columba, Bree Newsome is revealing why she took it upon herself to take the flag down.
The civil rights activist voiced her motivation in a new essay for the Blue Nation Review, saying that she aligned with a group of local activists who shared her frustration over the fear culture represented by the flag.
“We discussed it and decided to remove the flag immediately, both as an act of civil disobedience and as a demonstration of the power people have when we work together,” wrote Newsome, who labeled the tragic shooting at Emanuel AME Church a call to action. “We made this decision because for us, this is not simply about a flag, but rather it is about abolishing the spirit of hatred and oppression in all its forms.”
As it turned out, Newsome took it upon herself to bring the flag down as she arrived at the state Capital with James Tyson on Saturday morning (June 27). As Tyson stood watch, Essence noted that Newsome climbed over a fence and scaled the 30-foot Confederate flagpole. Police who arrived mid-way through her climb and ordered her to come down ultimately halted Newsome’s efforts.
Ignoring the authorities, Newsome kept going up the flagpole and removed the flag. Newsome and Tyson were arrested by police, who charged them with defacing monuments on state Capitol grounds. Although the charged included a three-year prison sentence and $5,000 fine, the pair was released from jail later that night as authorities soon replaced the flag after their arrest.
Newsome and Tyson’s brush with the law sparked support among folks who applauded their actions and labeled it as heroic. As a result, supporters created a group-funding page to cover Newsome and Tyson’s legal fees. Thus far, the page has raised more than $115,000. State Rep. Todd Rutherford (D) will represent Newsome in court.
In her Blue Nation Review essay, Newsome pointed out that racial strides have been few in recent history. To illustrate her point, the activist made parallels between Trayvon Martin and Emmett Till; the government officials in Baltimore and slave catchers; and the Charleston shooting and the 16th Street Baptist Church Bombing, Essence reports.
Amid all the injustices, Newsome acknowledged that the Confederate flag has survived. In her eyes, removing the flag would serve as an act of defiance against the oppression of her ancestors and Black people worldwide in 2015.
“The emblem of the confederacy, the stars and bars, in all its manifestations, has long been the most recognizable banner of this political ideology,” Newsome wrote. “It’s the banner of racial intimidation and fear whose popularity experiences an uptick whenever Black Americans appear to be making gains economically and politically in this country.”
Despite her arrest, Newsome is still dedicated to her cause. With that, she urged the public to continue their fight, saying that the removal of the Confederate flag is only the first step.
“It is important to remember that our struggle doesn’t end when the flag comes down,” she wrote. “The Confederacy is a southern thing, but white supremacy is not. Our generation has taken up the banner to fight battles many thought were won long ago. We must fight with all vigor now so that our grandchildren aren’t still fighting these battles in another 50 years. Black Lives Matter. This is non-negotiable.”
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