- Tech
-
-
Tech
The gadgets, platforms, and software that make your digital life possible. if it bleeps, clicks or blinks, you’ll find it here.
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- Report: YouTube will no longer run ads on anti-vax channels Today 2:54 PM
- Microsoft employees want to cancel a $479 million contract with the U.S. military Today 1:14 PM
- Elon Musk finally hosts PewDiePie’s meme review Friday 6:27 PM
- Report: Facebook collects app data on users’ body weight, menstrual cycles Friday 3:38 PM
- Nobody likes Spotify’s new update Friday 2:34 PM
-
-
-
- Internet Culture
-
-
Internet Culture
There’s a community for everyone online.
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- ‘Isabelle Facts’ was a wholesome queer meme account—until harassers showed up Today 8:28 AM
- Elon Musk finally hosts PewDiePie’s meme review Friday 6:27 PM
- Viral graphic shows the moment Apple became the top brand Friday 12:27 PM
- This ‘buff bunny vs. small bunny’ meme is here for when you’re feeling inferior Friday 10:53 AM
- Ocasio-Cortez slams trolls who come at her with ‘weak’ memes Friday 10:52 AM
-
-
-
- Streaming
-
-
Streaming
You’ve cut the cord—now what?
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- Instagram has mixed feelings about Mindy Kaling supporting Aziz Ansari 4 Years Ago
- How to stream Brandon Rios vs. Humberto Soto for free Today 6:00 AM
- ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ heads to ‘Bly Manor’ for next installment Today 5:45 AM
- How to stream James DeGale vs. Chris Eubank Jr. for free Today 5:30 AM
- How to stream UFC Fight Night 145 in Prague for free Today 5:00 AM
-
-
-
- IRL
-
-
IRL
Where your off- and online identities collide.
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- Report: YouTube will no longer run ads on anti-vax channels Today 2:54 PM
- Student assaulted on campus while tabling for right-wing group Friday 1:56 PM
- This elementary school made students play ‘runaway slave’ Friday 11:20 AM
- Feds say college student operated drug business through gaming app Thursday 4:36 PM
- Disturbing Snapchat video shows 17-year-old throwing dog on trampoline Thursday 12:16 PM
-
-
-
- Social
-
-
Social
If it happens online, it’s here.
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- Instagram has mixed feelings about Mindy Kaling supporting Aziz Ansari 4 Years Ago
- Donald Trump keeps pushing his unsubstantiated voter fraud claims Today 4:09 PM
- Report: YouTube will no longer run ads on anti-vax channels Today 2:54 PM
- Microsoft employees want to cancel a $479 million contract with the U.S. military Today 1:14 PM
- Queso recipe gets launched to space Today 10:09 AM
-
-
-
- Bazaar
-
-
Bazaar
The Bazaar specializes in the stuff you don’t actually need…but you really, really want.
-
Categories
-
-
Latest
- Allow your wallet to be your spirit guide during this rad anime sale Tuesday 10:43 AM
- 14 artsy cartoon mugs that’ll help make your days more creative Monday 12:15 PM
- Get your nerd on with ThinkGeek’s Funko Pop B2G1 sale Monday 3:00 AM
- Play all your NES games in high def with the Hyperkin RetroN HD Tuesday 8:39 AM
- The Introvert Activity Book is perfect for those who find solace in alone time Monday 11:30 AM
-
-
-
- More
- Search
See all Editor's Picks →
See all Popular →
Represented by Complex Media, Inc. for advertising sales.
Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Ethics
Latest
- Instagram has mixed feelings about Mindy Kaling supporting Aziz Ansari 4 Years Ago
- Donald Trump keeps pushing his unsubstantiated voter fraud claims Today 4:09 PM
- Report: YouTube will no longer run ads on anti-vax channels Today 2:54 PM
- Microsoft employees want to cancel a $479 million contract with the U.S. military Today 1:14 PM
- Queso recipe gets launched to space Today 10:09 AM
- ‘Isabelle Facts’ was a wholesome queer meme account—until harassers showed up Today 8:28 AM
- 2016 election stories the ‘Newsroom’ reboot will cover Today 6:30 AM
- How to stream Brandon Rios vs. Humberto Soto for free Today 6:00 AM
- ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ heads to ‘Bly Manor’ for next installment Today 5:45 AM
- How to stream James DeGale vs. Chris Eubank Jr. for free Today 5:30 AM
- How to stream UFC Fight Night 145 in Prague for free Today 5:00 AM
- R. Kelly charged in Chicago with multiple counts of sex abuse Friday 7:51 PM
- Elon Musk finally hosts PewDiePie’s meme review Friday 6:27 PM
- Netflix throws ‘Umbrella Academy’-themed wedding for fans Friday 4:54 PM
- Report: Facebook collects app data on users’ body weight, menstrual cycles Friday 3:38 PM
Activist scales flagpole at South Carolina statehouse, removes Confederate flag
#FreeBree.
In the days since white supremacist terrorist Dylann Roof killed nine African-American church officials and parishioners at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, the country has been embroiled in a fierce debate about the Confederate flag, technically the battle flag of the Army of Northern Virginia, which had been flying at the South Carolina statehouse for generations.
One activist who wanted the flag taken down decided to stop waiting for state lawmakers to act on the issue and did something about it herself. The Root reports that a woman identified as Bree Newsome was arrested on Saturday morning for scaling the flagpole at the South Carolina statehouse and taking down the flag. An accomplice, James Ian Tyson, was also arrested.
This beautiful woman scaled the flagpole at SC Capitol & ripped down the Confederate flag this morning #keepitdown pic.twitter.com/SU1TDjvhpg
— DMoney (@johnvmoore) June 27, 2015
NBC News reports that, if convicted, Newsome and Tyson face penalties up to a $5,000 fine and three years in prison. Within an hour, flag had been put back.
Friends of @BreeNewsome – I will pay her bail money or any legal fees she has. Please let her know this. #Charleston #TakeDownTheFlag
— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) June 27, 2015
Newsome’s action inspired a major reaction on Twitter, where the hashtag #FreeBree quickly began trending.
Seriously that is some superhero pose right there. #FreeBree pic.twitter.com/4rcZblWre8
— Zeddonymous (@ZeddRebel) June 27, 2015
The confederate flag beneath a black woman. This is symbolic. To me anyway. #FreeBree pic.twitter.com/aYuoSthBjR
— Khaleesi (@Kryskrossed) June 27, 2015
Not just any woman. A fierce, courageous, strong as hell Black woman did what everyone knows must be done. #TakeDownTheFlag #FreeBree
— A?anda (@GrnEyedMandy) June 27, 2015
Salute to @BreeNewsome for taking down this hateful “heritage”. We shall overcome #FreeBree pic.twitter.com/QZJvi6TTwU
— Mr. B (@Benogola) June 27, 2015
A bio on Newsome’s website lists her as an activist, filmmaker, and musician who was arrested in 2012 during a sit-in at the North Carolina State Capitol protesting the state’s imposition of restrictions on voting rights.
The flag has flown at the South Carolina statehouse since the late 1960s, when, as Sidney Blumenhal argues in the Atlantic, it was put in a place as a statement of opposition to the civil rights movement.
The flag used to fly over the dome of the statehouse itself; however, in accordance with a bill passed by the state’s legislature in 2000, it was moved to another location on the capital grounds—where its place is protected by law. It was the only flag on the capitol grounds not flown at half-mast in the immediate aftermath of the Charleston shooting.
While Republican South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley has called for the flag to be removed, the 2000 law prohibits her from doing so unilaterally. In Alabama, on the other hand, Governor Robert Bentley was able to order the confederate flags taken down from the Alabama Confederate Memorial located on the grounds of that state’s capitol.
Photo by eyeliam/flickr (CC BY 2.0)

Aaron Sankin
Aaron Sankin is a former Senior Staff Writer at the Daily Dot who covered the intersection of politics, technology, online privacy, Twitter bots, and the role of dank memes in popular culture. He lives in Seattle, Washington. He joined the Center for Investigative Reporting in 2016.