removal of the flag, and four of the state’s largest companies French tire maker Michelin, Hartsville based Sonoco, airplane manufacturer Boeing and utility SCANA Corp also threw their weight behind the effort after her public remarks.
The state’s business community had been largely silent since slaying of nine African-Americans during a Bible study in Charleston by a 21-year-old white man with purported racist views. Repeated efforts by The State newspaper to reach officials of the S.C. Chamber of Commerce were unsuccessful Friday and Monday. “Just as we did in 1999 when the Charleston Metro Chamber led local efforts to remove the flag from atop the State House, we feel that the flag belongs in a place of historical reference,” said Bryan Derreberry, president and CEO of the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. “It is in the interest of all who live and work here that we show our ability to unite under the flag that is representative of everyone.”
