Bree Newsome facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bree Newsome
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Newsome at CUNY Graduate Center, 2015
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| Born | May 13, 1985 Durham, North Carolina, U.S.
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| Education | New York University (BFA) |
Bree Newsome Bass (born May 13, 1985) is an American filmmaker, activist, and speaker. She is from Charlotte, North Carolina. She is well-known for an important act of civil disobedience on June 27, 2015. She was arrested for taking down the Confederate flag from the South Carolina state house grounds. This happened after a terrible shooting in a church in Charleston. Her action brought a lot of attention. It helped pressure state leaders to remove the flag for good on July 10, 2015.
Contents
About Bree Newsome
Early Life and Education
Bree Newsome went to Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, Maryland. In 2003, YM magazine called her one of the "20 Coolest Girls in America." While she was still in high school, Newsome made a short animated film. This film helped her win a college scholarship. She later studied film at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
Her Film Work
Bree Newsome's film Wake has won many awards. It won the Outstanding Independent Short Film award in the Black Reel Awards of 2012. It also won Best Short Film at the BET Urban World Film Festival. Her film was shown at major events like the Cannes Film Festival in France. Newsome was the first African-American college student to be nominated for the Wasserman Award.
Newsome has said that her experiences making films, especially in the horror and science fiction genres, inspired her to become an activist. She explained that for young Black girls, there are often limits. Because of this, it's hard not to become an activist and stand up against unfairness.
Her Activism
Standing Up for Rights
Newsome has been involved in activism for many years. In July 2013, she was arrested during a sit-in. This protest was at the office of the North Carolina House Speaker. She was protesting a new law about voter identification.
Taking Down the Flag in 2015
On June 27, 2015, Bree Newsome was arrested for taking down the Confederate battle flag. This flag was flying on the grounds of the South Carolina State House. Newsome, who was 30 years old, climbed a 30-foot pole. Police told her to come down. She replied, "In the name of Jesus, this flag has to come down." She added, "You come against me with hatred and oppression and violence. I come against you in the name of God. This flag comes down today."
As she lowered the flag, police were waiting below. She announced she was ready to be arrested. Newsome and a man helping her, James Ian Tyson, were both arrested. People watching cheered for Newsome as she was handcuffed. As she was led away, she recited a verse from the Bible. The flag was put back up 45 minutes later.
Public Support and Impact
Newsome's act of civil disobedience made news around the world. By that afternoon, people had raised over $60,000 online to help with her bail. Filmmaker Michael Moore even offered to pay her bail and legal fees. Todd Rutherford, a state representative, offered to represent her in court.
Many people praised Newsome's actions. NAACP leader Reverend William Barber II compared her to Rosa Parks. Colette Gaiter, a professor, called her act "a significant piece of socially engaged performance art." After she was released, Newsome gave many interviews and appeared on TV shows. She also appeared in a documentary called Bars4justice.
Some state lawmakers, who also wanted the flag removed, criticized her actions. They worried that illegal acts might hurt their goal. However, calls to remove the flag had grown stronger after the tragic Charleston church shooting on June 17.
Days after her arrest, Newsome shared why she felt she had to act. She said the Charleston shooting shook her deeply. She realized it was time for true courage. She felt the ghosts of the past rising. She explained that this was not a movie scene or history from a book. It was a real event where people were killed while praying.
A vote on the flag happened on July 9. The flag was finally removed the next Friday. The charges against Newsome and Tyson were later dropped.
Continued Influence
In 2016, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke in Charleston. She gave credit to Newsome for "shimmying up that flagpole." Clinton said that South Carolina finally made the right choice by removing the flag.
In February 2016, Newsome told Ebony magazine that her ancestors had been enslaved in South Carolina. This history motivated her actions.
Newsome has continued to speak about important issues. She talks about topics like affirmative action and housing rights. She has given interviews to many newspapers and magazines. She also makes TV appearances and gives speeches at colleges. After a violent event in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, Newsome shared her thoughts in The Washington Post.
In 2021, Newsome discussed ideas about changing law enforcement and prisons. In 2023, she showed support for Palestine during the conflict in Gaza.
Honors and Awards
- Outstanding Independent Short Film award, Black Reel Awards of 2012
- Best Short Film at the BET Urban World Film Festival
- NAACP Image Award – Chairman's Award, presented by NAACP chairwoman Roslyn Brock on February 5, 2016
