Both our bus tour of Charleston yesterday and our walk this morning took us by the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Founded in 1816, and often called Mother Emanuel, this is one of the oldest African American churches in the United States.
This church was the site of one of the saddest crimes in recent years. In June 2015 nine people were shot and killed inside the church during a prayer service, including the senior pastor, state senator Clementa Pinckney. President Barack Obama delivered the eulogy at Pinckney's memorial service. Dylann Roof was convicted in federal court in December 2016 and sentenced to death on January 10, 2017, just prior to our visit to Charleston. Click here for more info.
All nine murder victims were black. Dylann Roof is white. Our bus tour guide yesterday said: "He tried to start a race war. He picked the wrong city."
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