Tami Chappell/Reuters
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating threats made to members of the state legislature over a vote to remove the Confederate flag from statehouse grounds, just as the state’s House of Representatives prepares to vote on the proposal. “We recognize the First Amendment protections offered for free speech,” a SLED release said. “That’s not what this is about. Legislators on both sides of the issue have received communications that include death threats. That’s not free speech; it’s illegal to threaten to kill or injure a public official or their immediate family.” The bill passed by a wide margin in the state senate, but amendments or prolonged debate could delay the bill in the more divided house chamber. Gov. Nikki Haley has promised to sign the bill.