Amazon Is Pulling Down Confederate Flag Merchandise

2 minute read
Confederate flag
The Confederate flag is seen flying on the Capitol grounds a day after South Carolina Gov.Joe Raedle — Getty Images
By Alex Fitzpatrick

Amazon is removing Confederate flag merchandise after a fatal church shooting last week sparked a heated debate over the nature and meaning of the symbol, a company spokesperson confirmed to TIME.

The move comes after several other major companies made similar moves, including brick-and-mortar Amazon rival Walmart and online auction site eBay. Those companies’ decisions increased pressure on Amazon to take similar measures. Pressure also came from several Twitter users who pointed out that Confederate flag gear was beginning to appear on an Amazon page that lists items suddenly selling better than usual over the last 24 hours. The sales of one such item were up 7,000% early Tuesday since the previous day.

Since last week’s shooting, which claimed nine lives at a predominantly black church in Charleston, S.C., several prominent lawmakers and commentators across the political spectrum have begun to question the Confederate flag’s presence on the grounds of South Carolina’s statehouse. While some have defended the flag as a symbol of heritage rather than hate, many argue the flag has irrevocable ties to the violent racism that in part fueled the American Civil War, and as such does not belong in a position of honor at a government facility.

Witness Charleston's Grief After 9 Killed in Church Race Attack

Charleston Church Shooting
Surreace Cox, of North Charleston, S.C., holds a sign during a prayer vigil down the street from the Emanuel AME Church early on June 18, 2015, following a shooting Wednesday night in Charleston, S.C.David Goldman—AP
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Charleston police officers search for a shooting suspect outside the Emanuel AME Church, in Charleston, S.C. on June 17, 2015. Matthew Fortner—The Post And Courier/AP
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The steeple of Emanuel AME Church is visible as police close off a section of Calhoun Street early on June 18, 2015 following a shooting Wednesday night in Charleston, S.C.David Goldman—AP
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A man kneels across the street from where police gather outside the Emanuel AME Church following a shooting in Charleston, S.C. on June 17, 2015.Wade Spees—AP
Charleston Church Shooting
Worshippers gather to pray down the street from the Emanuel AME Church following a shooting in Charleston, S.C. on June 17, 2015.David Goldman—AP
Charleston Church Shooting
A passing motorist looks out her window as she stops at an intersection down the street from the Emanuel AME Church early on June 18, 2015 following a shooting Wednesday night in Charleston, S.C. David Goldman—AP
Charleston Church Shooting
An FBI agent walks across the street from the Emanuel AME Church following a shooting in Charleston, S.C. on June 17, 2015.David Goldman—AP

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