Pictured are National NAACP Executive Director Cornell William Brooks (wearing suit and tie), and suspected mass murderer Dylann Storm Roof
By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, Cleveland Urban News. Com and the Cleveland Urban News.Com Blog, Ohio's Most Read Online Black Newspaper and Newspaper Blog. Tel: 216-659-0473. Email: editor@clevelandurbannews.com. Coleman is a 22-year political, legal and investigative journalist who trained for 17 years at the Call and Post Newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. (www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com)
A LETTER BELOW TO CLEVELAND URBAN NEWS.COM, OHIO'S LEADER IN BLACK DIGITAL NEWS, FROM NATIONAL NAACP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CORNELL WILLIAM BROOKS ON THE MASS MURDER OF NINE AFRICAN-AMERICA PARISHIONERS ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17 AT EMANUEL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA
Dear Cleveland Urban News.Com Editor Kathy Wray Coleman,
You've likely heard the news of the nine parishioners were murdered last night while attending Bible study at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
They were killed in cold blood by suspect Dylann
Roof, a white man who sat among them during their worship for more than an hour, then opened fire, declaring that "you're raping our women and taking over the country. You have to go."
There is no greater coward than a criminal who enters a house of God and slaughters innocent people engaged in the study of scripture.
In these times we feel distraught, but we will not cower when attacked. I am on my way to fellowship with the Emanuel AME Church community. As we wait for the facts and ponder how anyone could act with such hate, we must stand together and show our support for the Charleston community. (Editor's note: All nine if the victims were Black).
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http://action.naacp.org/Charleston
Now that Dylann Storm Roof has been apprehended, we look forward to justice being served, to him being held accountable, punished swiftly and severely.
Our heartfelt prayers and soul-deep condolences go out to the families and community of the victims. This small gesture can console and unite our community, and our nation as we grapple with the weight of this tragedy.
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http://action.naacp.org/Charleston
In mourning,
Cornell William Brooks, National NAACP executive director
(www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com)
