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Obama to honour Charleston shooting victims at funeral | Obama to honour Charleston shooting victims at funeral |
(about 4 hours later) | |
US President Barack Obama is to deliver a eulogy in Charleston for his friend, the Reverend Clementa Pinckney, who was shot dead with eight others last week. | US President Barack Obama is to deliver a eulogy in Charleston for his friend, the Reverend Clementa Pinckney, who was shot dead with eight others last week. |
The attack on a bible study group at a historic African-American church is thought to be racially motivated. | The attack on a bible study group at a historic African-American church is thought to be racially motivated. |
Thousands are in attendance at the South Carolina funeral to hear the president's tributes to the victims. | |
The tragedy has reignited debate about race relations and sparked a backlash against the Confederate flag. | The tragedy has reignited debate about race relations and sparked a backlash against the Confederate flag. |
Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old suspected gunman in custody, has been photographed holding the flag. | Dylann Roof, the 21-year-old suspected gunman in custody, has been photographed holding the flag. |
The president will be accompanied in Charleston by first lady Michelle Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden and his wife Jill. | The president will be accompanied in Charleston by first lady Michelle Obama, Vice-President Joe Biden and his wife Jill. |
Former secretary of state and 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is in attendance as well. | |
"We miss his priceless spirit, but I am convinced it will live on," one pastor said at the service. | |
Mother Emanuel AME Church's ministerial staff gave their condolences to his family during the service, which they called a "joyous celebration of a life well lived". | |
At the scene - Nick Bryant, BBC News | At the scene - Nick Bryant, BBC News |
On the eve of the funeral, there were gospel songs on the streets outside Emanuel AME - music that once relieved the cruelty of segregation used now to soothe the hearts of this mourning community. | On the eve of the funeral, there were gospel songs on the streets outside Emanuel AME - music that once relieved the cruelty of segregation used now to soothe the hearts of this mourning community. |
Parishioners queued for hours, in sweltering heat and Sunday best, to view the body of their dead pastor - the length of the line a measure of their respect. | Parishioners queued for hours, in sweltering heat and Sunday best, to view the body of their dead pastor - the length of the line a measure of their respect. |
Most are clinging to an article of their faith - that love can conquer hate. | Most are clinging to an article of their faith - that love can conquer hate. |
Reverend Clementa Pinckney, a politician as well as a preacher, will be eulogised by President Obama - a speech where he'll express the sympathies of an unusually united nation. | Reverend Clementa Pinckney, a politician as well as a preacher, will be eulogised by President Obama - a speech where he'll express the sympathies of an unusually united nation. |
And what we've witnessed in the American south since the shootings has been dramatic - a re-evaluation of how the region commemorates its past and a heightened level of respect for the sensitivities of its black population. | And what we've witnessed in the American south since the shootings has been dramatic - a re-evaluation of how the region commemorates its past and a heightened level of respect for the sensitivities of its black population. |
The first two funerals, for Ethel Lance and Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, were held on Thursday. | The first two funerals, for Ethel Lance and Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, were held on Thursday. |
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, the Reverend Jesse Jackson and the Reverend Al Sharpton were in attendance. | South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Charleston Mayor Joe Riley, the Reverend Jesse Jackson and the Reverend Al Sharpton were in attendance. |