Hoyer Statement on Charleston Shooting

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after nine African-Americans were killed last night at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina:

“I was horrified to learn of the deplorable, cowardly attack on peaceful worshipers at Charleston’s historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, and my thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. I join Americans from all walks of life and every corner of our nation in denouncing this terrible act of violence, and I stand in solidarity with the families, the congregation of the Emanuel A.M.E Church, and their community in calling for the perpetrator to be caught swiftly and brought to justice.  

“Houses of worship have always been places where fear, through the power of faith and community, is transformed into hope and strength. In difficult moments, the families of the Emanuel A.M.E. Church have drawn from the hope and strength of their forebears, who first came together in the darkest days of slavery, empowered one another to endure the horrors of segregation and Jim Crow, and played an important role in the Civil Rights Movement with leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. having preached there. Together, they fought to overcome the evils of hatred and racism – and with the prayers and helping hands of their fellow Americans, this community shall overcome once more and continue to shine a light of peace and love, over which no act of vile hatred can ever cast its shadow.”