Hillary Clinton weighed in on the controversy surrounding two photos published on social media that show eight Citadel cadets dressed in attire that resembles Ku Klux Klan garb.
In a tweet, Clinton linked the photo of the students with pillowcases over their heads to the fact that the Confederate flag flies on the school's campus.
"Symbols of hate create more hate. It's time for the Confederate flag to come down at The Citadel."
The Confederate flag was removed from the South Carolina Statehouse grounds in July, weeks after nine members of a historic black church in Charleston, S.C., were gunned down by Dylann Roof, an apparent loner with loose ties to the white supremacist movement. The flag had flown on the grounds for more than 50 years.
Approximately one week after the shooting, The Citadel Board of Visitors voted 9-3 to remove the Confederate flag from its grounds, but South Carolina law requires an act of the legislature to remove historic markers. So the flag remains.
Reaction to the "hood" photos was swift and strong.
Eight students were suspended from the military academy within one day of the photos coming to light. The Hill reported that the students left campus on Friday.
The president of the college, retired Air Force Gen. John W. Rosa, said the images of the Citadel cadets were "offensive" and "disturbing." However, activists have called for Rosa to resign.
On Thursday, state Sen. Marlon Kimson issued a statement calling for the expulsion of the students involved.
"They have dishonored the Citadel, the people of Charleston, and the people of South Carolina," he said.
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