A Republican lawmaker actually just said this about the Confederate flag

The confederate flag is a controversial symbol in the United States.

Some would argue it's a symbol of freedom, others say it's a symbol of racism due to its links with the American Civil War and slavery, and hence should be banned.

A lawmaker from Mississippi has called for the hanging of politicians who approve the removal of the confederate flag and other Civil war monuments.

A since-deleted Facebook post from state representative Karl Oliver's account compared critics - who say the monuments celebrate slavery - to Nazis:

The destruction of these monuments, erected in the loving memory of our family and fellow Southern Americans, is both heinous and horrific.

If the, and I use this term extremely loosely, 'leadership' of Louisiana wishes to, in a Nazi-ish fashion, burn books or destroy historical monuments of OUR HISTORY, they should be LYNCHED!

After widespread criticism, he later apologised for the post.

I, first and foremost, wish to extend this apology for any embarrassment I have caused to both my colleagues and fellow Mississippians.

In an effort to express my passion for preserving all historical monuments, I acknowledge the word 'lynched' was wrong.

I am very sorry. It is in no way, ever, an appropriate term.

I deeply regret that I chose this word, and I do not condone the actions I referenced, nor do I believe them in my heart.

I freely admit my choice of words was horribly wrong, and I humbly ask your forgiveness.

More: All the places where the Confederate flag is still officially used