On the ninth anniversary of the Emanuel AME Church shooting, congregants and community members are honoring the nine victims and five survivors while looking to the future to ensure their story isn’t forgotten.
A self-avowed white supremacist joined a Bible study the night of June 17, 2015, at the historic Calhoun Street church. He opened fire in the fellowship hall, murdering a group of Black parishioners.
Family members appeared at the killer’s bond hearing two days later. Several stood up to speak as a magistrate called out the names of their loved ones. Some told the gunman they forgave him.
Their words reverberated across the globe, transforming an act of pure evil into a story of grace, resistance and strength.
On the 9th anniversary of the Charleston Emanuel AME Church mass shooting, congregants & community members are honoring the 9 victims & 5 survivors while looking to the future to ensure their story isn’t forgotten. #EmanuelAME https://t.co/Q67zu0VQuf
— Flo McAfee (@soukieg) June 17, 2024