On Saturday morning, dressed as if she would climb a mountain, Bree Newsome took down the Confederate Flag on the South Carolina state house grounds. Newsome did climb a metaphorical mountain that some see as deep rooted in disdain, oppression, slavery, and racism against African Americans in the USA. This act of civil disobedience quickly went viral as youtube and local media publicized her climb. Newsome was arrested following her descent with the flag. The flag was also raised again shortly after her climb.
Bree Newsome and her spotter James Tyler were hailed as heros to many online, quickly garnering the hastags #freebree, #freejames, #takeitdown and #keepitdown.
Newsome also got reimagined as a hero to many social media.
On Monday, Bree Newsome released a statement:
"I did it for all the fierce black women on the front lines of the movement and for all the little black girls who are watching us," she wrote. "I did it because I am free."
Written By: Lauren B. I @laurenbeal