This is yet another really late post and many probably have already heard what happened but I still wanted to write about Bree Newsome – the black woman who scaled a flag pole and removed the confederate flag that was still flying over the South Carolina capitol. She, along with her partner in crime who was on guard below the pole, were both arrested and were charged with “defacing monuments on state capitol grounds”. There has been a petition started to drop the charges that also has more information.
Newsome released a statement to Blue Nation Review, where she wrote about her work regarding racial justice and community organizing and overall, wrote an incredibly powerful statement. She wrote about standing in solidarity with all marginalized and oppressed and being heartbroken over the murders of the nine black Bible study members in Charleston and that #BlackLivesMatter. At one point, she wrote in particular that:
For far too long, white supremacy has dominated the politics of America resulting in the creation of racist laws and cultural practices designed to subjugate non-whites. And the emblem of the confederacy, the stars and bars, in all its manifestations, has long been the most recognizable banner of this political ideology. 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.
It’s a reminder how, for centuries, the oppressive status quo has been undergirded by white supremacist violence with the tacit approval of too many political leaders.
There have also been many amazing art works done in honor of Bree and what she did. All of them are so well done and capture the amazing grace of Bree and her act.
Amazing. Drawn by @Niall_JayDub #FreeBree pic.twitter.com/d4bAjKF08C
— SPLC (@splcenter) June 28, 2015
Cuz she a hero #FreeBree #BLACKGIRLMAGIC #still pic.twitter.com/rOg1Qai1tP
— GOD (@Niall_JayDub) June 27, 2015
Incredible artwork. She left the flagpole in handcuffs. Now artists reimagine #BreeNewsome as a superhero. http://t.co/yvErmjidS4 #FreeBree
— CVisionCreative (@CVisionCreative) June 30, 2015
Unfortunately Bree has been getting a lot of death threats and general negative comments because of her amazing act of civil disobedience. So her family has been asking for people to send in encouraging words and love for her to [email protected] I’ve sent in an email with some love and encouragement but again: Bree – you are wonderful and amazing and thank you so much for your act of civil disobedience! The flag needs to go and you scaling that flag pole was tremendous.
Family and friends of Bree request words of encouragement to be sent to her as she is now receiving death threats. [email protected]
— Jennicet Gutiérrez (@JennicetG) June 29, 2015
#FreeBree Hey fellow white “allies” did you send #LoveToBree yet? pic.twitter.com/RncrSeceIX — IsaJennie (@IsaJennie) June 29, 2015