Political activist Bree Newsome was arrested shortly after removing the Confederate battle flag from atop a pole at the South Carolina state capitol on Saturday. An act she claimed to do "in the name of God."
"You come against me with hatred and oppression and violence," Newsome shouted as she unhooked the flag. "I come against you in the name of God! This flag comes down today!"
According to The Root, Newsome is "an artist and filmmaker who is active in the Black Lives Matter movement." She was arrested immediately after removing the flag, according to The New York Times, for “defacing a monument.’’
Despite calls from South Carolina's Gov. Nikki Haley to have the flag removed, the New York Times also reports that the flag will not be removed without consent of the South Carolina legislature.
Newsome, who also recited Psalm 27:1 as she climbed down the pole, was released on bond on June 27, according to USA Today. You can watch the full video, which includes Newsome's arrest, below.
JJ Feinauer is a writer for Deseret News National. Email: jfeinauer@deseretdigital.com, Twitter: jjfeinauer.