South Carolina Lawmakers Push for Confederate Flag Debate

South Carolina lawmakers plan to introduce a resolution on Tuesday to begin a debate on removing the Confederate flag from the State House grounds following the killings last week of nine African-American churchgoers allegedly by a white gunman. Political leaders and civil rights organizations, including Reverend Al Sharpton's National Action Network, also plan to rally Tuesday in support of the measure on the steps of the State House in Columbia. Wednesday's shooting took place about 120 miles from Colombia. The battle flag of the pro-slavery Confederacy has become a lightning rod for the outrage that has gripped the state over the apparent racist motives behind the massacre. Federal authorities are investigating the attack as a hate crime by accused gunman Dylann Roof, who posed with the flag in photos posted online. Republican South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said on Monday the time was right to take down the flag. It was put up at the State House a half century ago as resistance to federal efforts to end segregation in the South was at its peak.