On June 17 our country suffered the tremendous loss. Nine Americans were massacred while holding a bible study at the historical Mother Emanuel AME Church in South Carolina by a gunman filled with hate; calling for a “race war”. His deplorable act has had the opposite effect on America and I am overwhelmed with peace to see that.
I have been contacted by some of you asking how you can respond. Below our statement you will find several ways in which you can show your support. We also continue to ask for your prayers for these grieving families.
NAACP Statement on the Arrest of Dylann Roof
The man accused of shooting and killing nine people inside Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., has been arrested. Subsequently, the NAACP has released the following statement:
From Cornell William Brooks, NAACP President and CEO:
“We are as thankful for the apprehension of the alleged Charleston shooter as we are horrified by the blood curdling heinousness of this act. We appreciate the swift work of federal, state, and local authorities in apprehending the alleged shooter. We commend, encourage, and will continue to support the ongoing investigation and prosecution of the person responsible for the deaths of nine students of scripture in a beloved sanctuary. The NAACP family continues to pray for the family of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the late pastor, the Reverend Clementa Pinckney, and those who lost their lives in the Bible study. As we mourn their senseless deaths, we remain resolved to continue facing evil and fighting for justice in every corner of America.
Our century-old, ongoing work of confronting violence with nonviolence, hate with love, and racism with the highest ideas of our democracy yet continues. The mayor, police chief, and witnesses describe this shooting as a hate crime. The coward who murdered nine parishioners in a church set a new and depraved standard of inhumanity. We, as Americans, by our resolve, determination, and commitment, through our faith, will set an infinitely higher standard of humanity.”
The city’s website:
http://www.charleston-sc.gov/index.aspx?NID=1330
From the city’s page:
This city’s fund will provide direct financial support for the funeral and burial expenses of the nine victims of the senseless tragedy. Any funds remaining after the funeral and burial expenses are paid will be donated directly to the AME Church for use as determined by its leadership. Donations to this fund are not tax-deductible. These donations can be made in one of three ways ….
1. By sending a check to:
Mother Emanuel Hope Fund
c/o City of Charleston
Post Office Box 304
Charleston, SC 29402
2. By stopping by any Wells Fargo Bank nationwide and making a donation to the Fund.
3. Texting ‘prayforcharleston’ to 843 – 606-5995 or go to www.bidr.co/prayforcharleston.
If you would like to join your local NAACP Branch:
NAACP
Ansonia Branch #2000
P.O. Box 6
Ansonia, Connecticut 06401
