Politicians are lining up in agreement that the Confederate battle flag should be removed from the South Carolina Capitol grounds and placed in a musem. But doing so requires a supermajority vote of the Legislature and then a waiting period. It could be months before the flag is removed, if the Legislature agrees to do so.
One lone activist decided to engage in civil disobedience. Bree Newsome scaled the pole near the Capitol building, unhooked it, submitted to arrest, and walked away reciting the 23rd Psalm, with her police escort. She has been released.
Newsome has a website with a few videos. She describes herself as an artist and an activist,
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Brava! Brava!
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Michael Moore has come forward offering to pay her bail and any legal costs she may have. He’s also noted that the flag is back up and asking who is next to take the flag down.
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Supporters of Bree have raised $25,000 for her defense in three hours
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I’d pay to see Michael Moore climbing the flagpole. 🙂
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Ahhh Michael Moore… always wanting to get his 5 minutes of fame. His nature is duplicitous at best given that he has ignored public education issues (in particular unions which are supposedly of deep interest to him).
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Others should now return to the pole, climb it again and do to it what needs to be done. It should be burned and thrown into the ash heap of history to join the swastika and hammer and sickle–symbols that ended up killing millions.
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If Bree Newsome isn’t a member of the resistance to save the public schools, maybe we can win her over and recruit her to join us.
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Is anyone who would fly the Confederate flag even capable of “pondering”?
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It would be so very appropriate if individuals did line up to take down the flag – very reminiscent of the Woolworth lunch room counter movement.
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Bree is not only brave and courageous, but multi-talented as well. Just watched her short and was stunned by its rich story.
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Civil disobedience at its best.
Diane, catch the NYTimes article on Gates funding teachers who testify against tenure.
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From the article:
“At about 7:45 a.m., a maintenance worker and a state security officer, neither of whom would give their names or comment, raised a new banner after removing it from a plastic sheet. The two state employees who arrived on the State House grounds to put the flag back up were African-Americans.”
Very sad! Unfortunately, much like the GAGA teacher and administrator sheeple who continue to aide and abet those who seek to destroy public education by continuing to implement the many nefarious, injurious, invalid and insane educational malpractices that are the CCSS and the accompanying standardized testing, the mis-evaluation of students, the teachers, schools and districts.
Were we all to have the guts of Bree Newsome and her accomplice! They are righteous fighters against those who wish to maintain the culture of death and destruction in this country.
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Yay for Bree – what a good idea. Thank you.
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Outstanding.
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The Civil Rights movement started with small acts of civil disobedience spurred by committed groups of brave people in disparate areas of the country. I highly recommend everyone read The Children a powerful book by the late David Halberstam about the students who risked their lives to integrate the lunch counters in Nashville. At the time, the situation for blacks seemed dim. They fought the massively powerful southern machine and won.
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We should recognize that Bree Newsome asked for, and received help. If you look at the video carefully, you will see a white man at the foot of the flagpole, acting as her spotter. You will also see the police put handcuffs on him. His name is James Ian Tyson and he describes himself as an activist. His role was to provide support but not “get in the way,” and he appears to have fulfilled this role admirably. This is not to take away the credit that belongs to Newsome, it is to say, there are also those behind the scenes.
I think it especially important that the members of this blog’s community note Tyson’s involvement because there is a parallel here with teachers. No teacher works alone. Teachers are supported by many others who have so far escaped the spotlight and blame that is piled on teachers: school nurses, speech therapists, OTs, custodians, school secretaries, guidance counselors, educational assistants, cafeteria workers, and so on. Teachers could not do their magic without these others.
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Astute comment!!! Thanks!!
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