Lauren French, Politico, June 25, 2015

The Congressional Black Caucus will demand Thursday that lawmakers in South Carolina remove a controversial Confederate flag from the grounds of their state’s House Legislature.

Led by Reps G. K. Butterfield (D-N.C.), chairman of the CBC, and Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), the caucus plans to introduce a congressional resolution calling for the flag to be removed from the South Carolina Statehouse and encouraging retailers to stop selling merchandise adorned with the Civil War-era.

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The spotlight on South Carolina’s flag has also prompted debate in seven other states where the flag, which critics say celebrates the South’s decision to secede from the Union over slavery, is still on government memorabilia.

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“In 2015, a hate crime of this nature must lead to effective legislation that will curtail similar incidences in the future,” said Butterfield. “Our prayer is that Mother Emanuel [Church]–and our country overall–will heal from this incomprehensible tragedy. We must collectively pursue true democracy, equality and justice.”