The bells tolled at 9 p.m. in downtown Charleston and the crowd stood in silence as they listened to the pastor dressed in black read nine names.
The Rev. Clementa Pinckney, Myra Thompson, Ethel Lance, Cynthia Graham Hurd, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, Susie Jackson, DePayne Middleton Doctor, Tywanza Sanders and the Rev. Dan Simmons Sr. — nine names, nine lives whose loss on June 17, 2015, irrevocably changed the Holy City.
At least 50 people gathered at 8 p.m. on June 17 in front of Emanuel AME Church on Calhoun Street to remember those names, marking the sixth anniversary of the racially motivated mass shooting that continues to scar the Black community.
“I’m so grateful that you are here to remember,” said Marlena Davis, a church member.
Local paper front page #motheremanuelmassacre #remember #history #race #religion #parishministry #biblestudy #southcarolina #lowcountrylife #death #history #motheremanuel #charlestonsc pic.twitter.com/byCP9aHJ7U
— Kendall Harmon (@KendallHarmon6) June 18, 2021