COLUMBIA, S.C. – Today, the South Carolina chapter of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, released the following statement of solidarity in support of the families and friends of the nine worshippers who were killed during a prayer meeting at Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 17, 2015.
STATEMENT FROM VICKI SCHMIDT, A VOLUNTEER AND GUN VIOLENCE SURVIVOR WITH THE SOUTH CAROLINA CHAPTER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:
“My heart and prayers go out to the friends and families of those murdered at Charleston’s Emanuel AME Church every day, but especially today. The nine worshippers killed that day were in the right place, at the right time, where all should feel safe to worship and share a sense of community. Instead, a man motivated by racist hatred senselessly shot and killed nine valued members of the Charleston community. While nothing can ever bring back these precious lives, we hope the verdict today brought some sense of justice to the families as they deal with this unimaginable tragedy. Together, we’ll work to honor the lives of those killed, disarm hate and to create a community where we can all safely live and pray together.”