Charleston joins as one to mourn its dead
Church holds first service since gun attack killed nine
CHARLESTON // Church bells rang throughout Charleston yesterday in remembrance of nine people who were killed during a Bible study, in what has been called a racially-motivated attack. Charleston is known as the “Holy City” because of its numerous churches, and the bell, ringing at 10am was organised in honour of the victims of last Sunday’s gun attack.
As the bells rang, people at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church held their first service since Dylann Roof, 21, massacred nine members of its congregation.
The service started with a message of love, recovery and healing.
Police officers stood among the congregation for extra security.
Roof opened fire as he sat among a Bible study group, saying that he targeted them because they were black, authorities said. Among the nine killed was the church pastor, the Rev Clementa Pinckney, who was also a state senator.
Events to show solidarity yesterday took place throughout the city and beyond . Churchgoers said despite the grim circumstances, the congregation’s welcoming spirit was still alive.
“Just because of what people have gone through, emotions are definitely heightened, not just in Charleston but with anyone going to church, because it is such a sacred place, it is such a safe place,” said Shae Edros, 29, after a multiracial group of women sang outside the church on Saturday.
“To have something like that completely shattered by such evil – I think it will be in the back of everyone’s heads,” she said.
The church’s suburb is connected to Charleston by the Arthur Ravenel Bridge, named after a former state politician and supporter of the Confederate flag.
People joined hands in soli- darity on the bridge last night. The Rev Ed Kosak of the Unity Church of Charleston gave yesterday morning’s sermon to the grieving congregation. He said he felt empowered by the strength and grace which mem- bers of the Emanuel congregation have shown.
For the family of Cynthia Hurd, the service was particularly poignant. Hurd, a librarian, would have been celebrating her 55th birthday and was planning a trip to Virginia with her siblings before she was killed.
“Sunday will not be a sad day for me; it will be a celebration for me. It will be a celebration for our family because our faith is being tested,” said Hurd’s younger brother Malcolm Graham on Friday.
“She was in the company of God trying to help somebody out. She was where she needed to be.”
Felicia Breeland, an 81- yearold Emanuel churchgoer, said she sang in the choir with Susie Jackson, 87, who was also fatally shot.
“It’s going to be sad. She sits right on the front row too,” said Ms Breeland. “She had a very soft soprano voice. It was beautiful.”