Beatty Attends Memorial Service for the Charleston Nine
Beatty Attends Memorial Service for the Charleston Nine
Joins efforts to honor victims of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church and urges action to end discrimination
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Today, U.S. Congresswoman Beatty (OH-03) attended the memorial service for the victims of the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church attack that occurred on June 17, 2015. Nine church worshipers were killed during the racially motived shooting at the church located in Charleston, South Carolina. Rep. Beatty joined a bipartisan congressional delegation traveling to the event to pay respects to victims and their families.
At the memorial service Rep. Beatty remarked, "Today, President Obama and the First Lady, Vice President Biden and Dr. Biden, Members of Congress, faith leaders, and the community gathered to honor the lives of the victims of this horrific hate crime. I stand with the community and Congressman James Clyburn from South Carolina, who represents the parishioners of Emanuel AME, in this most difficult time. Out of this unconscionable act our nation is now speaking in a more united front to remove symbols that perpetuate hatred and divisiveness."
During his eulogy of the Honorable Reverend Clementa Pinckney, pastor of the Emanuel African American Methodist Episcopal Church, President Obama spoke forcefully about the legacy of segregation and the need to take down the Confederate flag across the country because it is not a source of pride, but of "systemic oppression and racial subjugation." Since the June 17th attack, large retailers such as Amazon and Wal-Mart have announced plans to discontinue selling the confederate flag.
Many other leaders of South Carolina were also in attendance such as Governor Nikki Haley, Senator Tim Scott, and Senator Lindsey Graham.
Rep. Beatty joined members of the Congressional Black Caucus in sponsoring a resolution to honor the victims of the June 17, 2015 attack. The resolution, H.Res. 344, calls for renewed action to tackle discrimination and racially motivated hate crimes, including the removal of the Confederate flag from public and state locations.
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