Democratic presidential candidate calling for removal of flag from The Citadel. EDITED

Last edited Fri Dec 11, 2015, 03:17 AM - Edit history (1)

CHARLESTON, SC (WCSC) -

Democratic presidential candidate Martin O'Malley is calling for the removal of a Confederate flag from The Citadel after controversial pictures of cadets showed up on social media on Thursday.

O'Malley, the former governor of Maryland, released a statement Thursday night in which he called for the removal of the Confederate Naval Jack Flag at the military college "after disturbing photos surfaced today of cadets dressed up in what appears to be KKK costumes."

O'Malley's South Carolina Director Tyler Jones released the following statement.

"It's time for the state legislature to amend the Heritage Act to allow for The Citadel to follow the lead of its Board of Visitors and finally remove the Confederate Naval Jack Flag from the Summerall Chapel. The horrific pictures that surfaced today serve as a reminder that racism and intolerance still exist on college campuses and a public institution of higher learning should not be home to such a divisive and offensive symbol."

http://www.live5news.com/story/30720589/democratic-presidential-candidate-calling-for-removal-of-flag-from-the-citadel

The controversial pictures that caused this:

Citadel Investigating Images of Cadets in White Hoods.

The Citadel said on Thursday that it was investigating the events behind images on Facebook that showed seven cadets at the Charleston, S.C., military college with white pillowcases on their heads, evoking a likeness to the Ku Klux Klan.

Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa, the president of the Citadel, said in a statement that he found the posting “offensive and disturbing.”

Two images appeared to show the cadets dressed in all-white shirts, pants, socks and gloves, topped by pointed hoods with eyeholes.

“Preliminary reports are cadets were singing Christmas carols as part of a ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past’ skit,” General Rosa said.

He added: “These images are not consistent with our core values of honor, duty and respect.”

Over the past year, South Carolina has been a focal point in the national soul-searching over persistent racism in the United States.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/11/us/citadel-investigating-images-of-cadets-in-white-hoods.html?