Mourners gather in S.C. for funeral of man shot in back
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2. In what area of Manhattan is there a dispute between a landlord and tenant, who lives above a museum, over an increase in rent? A. Little Italy B. Chinatown C. Spanish Harlem D. East Village
3. According to a recent study, what factor can influence the cognitive development of a child’s brain as well as the size and shape? A. Genetics B. Race C. Environment D. Income
4. Palestinian refugees in Syria’s Yarmouk refugee camp once tallied 160,000. Due to ongoing government clashes, refugees have fled leaving approximately how many? A. 80,000 B. 54,000 C. 18,000 D. 23,000
5. Tornadoes, including one estimated with up to 200 mph winds, swept through a six-county swath of what state on Thursday? A. Oklahoma B. Illinois C. Indiana D. Iowa
6. What city unveiled a statue depicting a homeless Jesus sleeping on a park bench? A. Buffalo B. Chicago C. Pittsburgh D. Atlanta
7. In India, farmers are protesting the government’s plan to buy their farmland with it?
A. Mine for metallic minerals
B. Build a natural processing plant C. Mine coal D. Sell it to foreign countries
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8. Judy Clarke, defense attorney for the Boston Marathon bomber, opposes the death penalty and has served as council for several notorious murder defendants. Who has she not represented? A. Ted Kaczynski B. Susan Smith C. Jared Loughner D. Susan Polk
9. Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., is one of how many U.S. senators to be charged with a crime while still in office? A. 12 B. 4 C. 7 D. 13
10. What politician did Republican candidate Rand Paul call out regarding her views on abortion? A. Hillary Clinton B. Debbie Wasserman Schultz C. Nancy Pelosi D. Sarah Palin
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — Walter Scott, a black man shot in the back by a white police patrolman, was borne to his grave Saturday inside a flag-draped coffin escorted by motorcycle police from that same officer’s North Charleston Police Department.
In an emotional memorial service at a church crammed with 500 mourners, no one mentioned the name of Patrolman 1st Class Michael Slager, charged with murder in Scott’s killing a week earlier. But the pastor who led the impassioned service condemned “the act of racism and hatred in that officer’s heart.”
“There is no doubt in my mind that Walter’s death was motivated by racial prejudice,” the Rev. Dr. George Hamilton told mourners at W.O.R.D. Ministries Christian Center. “You have got to hate somebody to shoot them in the back. This hate came because Walter was an African-American.”
The pastor ’s words brought some mourners to their feet. There were cries of “Right! Right!” and “Amen!”
The service crystallized simmering resentment in the black community of North Charleston, S.C., which is 47 percent African-American, since Scott was shot April 4 as he ran from Slager after a traffic stop.
Residents said the type of petty offense for which Scott was stopped — a broken brake light — symbolized persistent racial profiling of blacks pulled over for years for minor or nonexistent violations.
Slager, 33, whose wife is eight months pregnant, on Saturday was at a county prison, a few miles from the church. The eight shots he fired at Scott’s back figured prominently in the service.
Hamilton called the shooting “a hideous crime” compounded, he said, when Slager handcuffed the dying man instead of trying to save his life.
“Why would a cop handcuff a dead man anyhow?” he asked, drawing shouts of approval.
“This officer is a disgrace to the North Charleston Police Department,” the pastor went on.
But Hamilton warned against condemning all police, adding, “He is a disgrace to all the outstanding police officers who put their lives on the line to protect citizens of this area. We will not indict the entire law enforcement community for the act of a single racist.”
Of good officers, he added: “We thank God for them.”
Hamilton told mourners that Scott’s death was not in vain because it has prompted what he called “a new consciousness” about police profiling and excessive force against blacks in North Charleston and across the country.
The violent death of Scott, 50, might bring a new day when “every AfricanAmerican doesn’t need to be afraid when they are stopped by the police,” the pastor said.
Few mourners
had
not seen the video, taken by a bystander, that showed Slager firing at Scott as he ran across a grassy lot. Slager was arrested and charged Tuesday, after the video was turned over to state law enforcement officials. He was fired from the department.
Like many residents and civil rights leaders here, Hamilton said the shooting would have gone unpunished if not for the video, which sparked anger and prompted calls for justice but there has been no violence and only a few demonstrations.
The funeral service was held at W.O.R.D. Ministries Christian Center, where Scott was the first member of his family to attend, singing in the choir. After the service, eight officers cranked up their motorcycles. They escorted the funeral procession to Live Oak Memorial Gardens in Charleston.
Scott was laid to rest in a blue casket adorned with images of Bibles. Each member of his family held a single yellow rose.
There was no talk of the shooting or of racial profiling. There were only prayers, readings from Scripture and the soft sobs of the mourners.