GREENVILLE, S.C.—The Confederate battle flag is a symbol that has spawned vigorous debate, pro and con, about whether it should fly above the South Carolina Capitol grounds, and now Pete Selleck—Michelin North America Inc. chairman and president—has stepped into the debate.
In the wake of South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley's about-face proposal on removing the flag from the grounds and putting it in a museum, Michelin posted a statement on its website from Selleck saying that the Greenville-based tire maker supports the flag's removal.
“We continue to grieve for the families of the victims of the Charleston shootings, for the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church community, for our state and for our nation,” Selleck said.
“We respect this time of mourning and know that healing will not come easily for those personally affected by this tragedy. Michelin applauds Governor Haley's call to remove the Confederate flag from the Statehouse grounds and agrees that the flag must be immediately removed.”
Selleck added that Michelin is ready to support its elected officials as they take the necessary steps to do so.