Reporter theres a certain irony after what for many had been a long and difficult fight. I dont want this to go away quickly. I want people to remember what today feels like. Reporter there is heartache that comes with the history here, many remembering the nine people murdered inside charleston church, the alleged gunman, a selfproclaimed white supremacist. The nine who died in charleston are being honored. Those who fought during the Civil Rights Movement are being honored. Reporter still, some here argue pulling down the banner dishonors the heritage of the state. Taking it off the pole, sticking it in a museum putting it in a museum isnt going to open a dialogue. Reporter todays any indication, a dialogue will continue, even though the flags gone. Youre a heart. Youre a hater. Thank you. Thank you. Reporter but for most of the thousands gathered here, this day was about hope, not hate. We can be united. We can live in this country together. Its not a black white issue, it is a Unit
Right now. Announcer from nbc news World Headquarters in new york this is nbc nightly news with lester holt. Good evening. Today in the shadow of the South Carolina state house it took an honor guard just 36 seconds to lower a symbol that has divided this nation for a century and a half. The applause was thunderous and sustained. Look at the crowd. After 54 years the confederate battle flag was brought down from the site for the very last time. It was a swift and dramatic turn in history. Born of the racist murders of nine members of a black church in charleston less than a month ago by a man who embraced that flag. Tonight we have two reports. Ron allen starts us off from columbia. Ron, good evening. Reporter good evening, lester. All that remains of the Confederate Flag here now is the concrete slab behind that monument on the ground that the flag pole used to stand in. A flag that for more than 50 years as one editorial writer put it signaled to about a third of the states populatio
Degree guarantee. The director of the office of Personnel Management is stepping down. Earlier today Katherine Archuleta told the president that she is leaving and her resignation comes the day after her agency disclosed that hackers stole the personal information of more than 21 million people. Members of congress in both parties demanded archuleta resign and beth cobert, opms second in charge, will serve as interim director. Many of those people affected by the Security Breach live and work right here around the nations capital. Peggy fox has been out talking to people today and joins us live on capital hill and, peg, i know people arent happy. Reporter oh, yes, they are worried, but they arent just blaming the opm director who just resigned. Theyre pointing to general leadership in the federal government and also when they call animosity from congress toward federal workers. I think its a mess. You know, my information was stolen and its distressing that its not as secure as it shou
Murder nine people. F. B. I. Agents met with the victims families today to explain what happened, and we asked kris van cleave to explain it to us. Reporter f. B. I. Director james comey called the mistake heartbreaking and said we are all sick this has happened. We wish we could turn back time. On april 11th, dylann roof went into this South Carolina gun store to purchase a glock handgun. The transaction triggered an automatic federal battleground check. An f. B. I. Examiner pulled roofs arrest shed and saw an earlier arrest, but she did not see this incident report where roof admitted having the drugs. That confession should have disqualified him from buying a weapon. The examiner never got the report because she couldnt track down the Proper Police department, so she marked roofs case as pending and proved on to other cases. Under the law, if a background check remains unresolved after three day, the sale can proceed and thats exactly what happened. Roof completed his purchase on ap
The government scott walker is expected to make it official joining a field of republicans running for president. Plus, a twist a sequel for to kill a mocking bird prepares to hit stores. Welcome to Al Jazeera America im erica pitzi, in new york. We begin with greece. Deep in debt and up against a deadline. It is 1 00a. M. In brussels, the 25th hour in a longrunning negotiation with the countrys eurozone partners to start bailout talks. They have seen other deadlines come and go. This time its different. This time its nearly out of money. No deal means the country is likely forced to leave the eurozone, in greece everyone nose what is at stake, many are bracing for a catastrophe. You can see long lines. For two weeks people have been withdrawing whatever money they can from the imperilled banks. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras insists that a deal is within reach. Translation im here already for another meeting. We owe that to the people of europe who wants europe united not divided