Six women and three men are dead in Charleston, SC, the victims of a horrific mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The victims include: State Senator Clementa Pinckney, who was also reverend at the church; Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, a mother and track coach; librarian Cynthia Hurd; Allen University graduate Tywanza Sanders, Myra Thompson, wife of the church vicar; grandmother Ethel Lee Lance; church staff member Daniel L. Simmons; Rev. Depayne Middleton, a mother of four; and 87 year-old church member Susie Jackson.
"There is absolutely no doubt in my mind this is a hate crime," said Charleston Police Chief Greg Mullen.
According to at least one eyewitness, alleged shooter Dylann Roof told the congregants gathered at the church that "I have to do it. You rape our women and you're taking over our country. And you have to go."
So far, law enforcement officials have been clear in their recognition of the likely racial motives behind the killings, but we need to let them know that this case must be prosecuted for what it now appears to be: violent racism of the very worst kind.
Please stand with the community of Charleston for justice — sign this time-sensitive petition urging US Attorney General Loretta Lynch to prosecute the shooter under state and federal hate crime laws if the initial reports of racist motives are proven true.
