The news out of Charleston is horrifying: 9 people have been shot and killed at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, a historic black church in Charleston, South Carolina, including state senator Clementa Pinckney, the pastor at the church. As I write this, police are still looking for the suspected shooter, described as “a clean-shaven white male about 21-years-old with sandy blond hair.”
It seems rather likely that the shooting was a racist hate crime.
Please use this thread to discuss the news as well as to post any updates or additional information you find.
I know some commenters here have also been discussing another horrifying story in the news: On Tuesday, as NJ.com reports, “a recently divorced … police officer shot and killed his former wife in broad daylight … in front of their daughter on an Asbury Park [New Jersey] street, authorities said.” Please use this thread to discuss this story as well.
Apparently Westboro Baptist Church is planning to picket the funerals. The good news is that people are planning on making a human wall to shield those who are mourning.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/human-wall-barrier-planned-westboro-baptist-church-charleston-funerals/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=pbsofficial&utm_campaign=newshour
I’m absolutely disgusted by the WBC. I’ve been trying to come up with words to accurately express my disgust, but I just don’t think strong enough words exist.
I am glad to see that there are so many people willing to stand up to their bigotry, though.