June 18, 2015

Our hearts are broken over the senseless murders in Charleston, and we send our love and condolences to everyone impacted by this hateful act. Racism, hate, and bigotry continue to manifest unspeakable destruction in our lives and communities. We stand with all who want to create a world free of racism and injustice.

Jeff Ayers, Executive Director, South Carolina Equality:

"Last week, the City of Charleston, our state, and our nation learned of the massacre of nine innocent men and women during a prayer service inside one of Charleston’s oldest and most historic black churches, Emanuel AME Church, also known as 'Mother Emanuel.' This unthinkable tragedy reminds us of all the ways we are united as one South Carolina family. SC Equality stands strong with the Charleston community, with the members of 'Mother Emanuel,' with the African American community and the families of the victims calling on an end to social and racial injustice. We stand strong, hand in hand, and pledge to work together to end racism in our state and to create a South Carolina where ALL are equal under the law.

There is a long road ahead of us as we work toward achieving social justice, racial justice, and equality for all. We know there is no simple solution. But SC Equality is pledging to take a first step and publicly call for the removal of the Confederate flag from the State House grounds—a symbol that to many represents racism and hatred, and is at best a historical relic that no longer represents our state and our constituency. 

We can face our demons, in whatever form. In fact, the only way to overcome them is to face them. They are being faced right now in Charleston. Some think that if we just 'shut up' and stop talking about race, it will somehow get better. But it won’t. This is not an 'unspeakable' act, as some are saying—it’s something that must be spoken about, and the underlying racism and hatred behind it must be spoken about as well. The remarkable thing about it is that when we do face these problem, our communities find and show their true strength—a strength that surprises and inspires us all."

If you feel moved by the events of last week and would like to help in some way, a fund has been established to help the families of the victims. You may go here to donate. 

Here's how a few of our other Southern leaders have responded:

Equality Florida:

"Equality Florida stands today in mourning and in outrage at the murders of nine people inside their historic African-American church on Wednesday evening. It is a hate crime that has shocked the nation and claimed the lives of six women and three men, including State Senator Clementa Pinckney. Our hearts go out to their families, friends and the entire community reeling from this brutal act of terror. It’s impossible to make sense of such a “hateful and deranged” crime, as Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. put it. But we must note the connection between the deed and the hateful ideas that are said to have motivated it.

The alleged gunman sat through an hour of Bible study before opening fire. And when he ignored the pleas of his intended victims and reloaded his gun, he said, according to a witness, “I have to do it. You rape our women and you’re taking over our country. And you have to go.”It is not enough to condemn the actions of a lone gunman; we must also confront the rancid, racist ideology at the heart of this crime. Not everyone who holds his apparent beliefs commits these horrific acts but we must challenge those views that nourish the kind of moral depravity that led to this slaughter."

Chris Sgro, Executive Director, Equality North Carolina:

"Our hearts and thoughts go out to all individuals and families impacted by Wednesday's tragedy at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.

Today we join with an entire nation to decry this unspeakable and hateful act, mourn these nine victims -- all parishioners in a house of worship with a storied history of fighting for equal rights and justice -- and begin to lift up the anger, sadness, healing, and action necessary to end this type of senseless violence, wherever it may live."