As we mark the sixth anniversary of the massacre inside Charleston\u2019s Emanuel AME Church on Thursday, we\u2019re pleased to see significant progress on a memorial that will honor the lives lost and those forever altered on that tragic day. It will be the most tangible acknowledgement to Emanuel\u2019s victims; we hope still more is done.<\/p>\n
The Emanuel Nine Memorial, which will completely remake the grounds around the church on Calhoun Street, promises to be one of the most important things built in the city this decade. Work on the ambitious $17.5 million project is closer than ever after the city agreed to contribute $2 million to the Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation, which also will create an endowment to maintain the site and new initiatives to advance social justice and combat racism. Those initiatives will begin later this year, around the same time construction starts on the memorial.<\/p>\n
The Rev. Eric S.C. Manning, Emanuel pastor and co-chairman of the foundation, said he is humbled and thankful for the support the city and Charleston residents have shown, adding that the city\u2019s contribution \u201cwill ensure that the memory of the Emanuel Nine will never be forgotten, the resilience and strength of the survivors will continue to be celebrated, and the messages of forgiveness, love and grace will draw all people together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n "We urge our state and federal leaders to do more to keep firearms out of the hands of those whose criminal conduct and mental illness show they pose a danger," the editorial board writes.https:\/\/t.co\/Y3bIyor6Pn<\/a><\/p>\n — The Post and Courier (@postandcourier) June 17, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n