During a much-publicized special session today, the South Carolina state Senate voted 37-3 to take the Confederate Flag down from where it’s flown over capitol grounds. 

As protestors in favor of and against the flag gathered at the Capitol today (including Jesse Jackson), state senators commenced with a decision that has gained renewed significance in the wake of the massacre of nine black civilians (including state senator Clementa Pinckney) by a white supremacist at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church last month. The flag was taken down by activist and artist Bree Newsome on June 27 in an act of protest against the flag’s historical legacy.

Despite this historic vote, which comes after several prominent politicians (including Governor Nikki Haley, who has previously supported the flag’s presence) seemingly paid attention to national trends and reversed their positions on the flag, the vote needs to pass through the state House before the flag is taken down. 

(H/t Mashable)