Thousands of mourners gathered in Charleston, South Carolina, on Friday for the funeral of Rev. Clementa Pinckney, a state senator and one of the nine victims killed in last week's shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Obama gave the eulogy; he was joined by first lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Biden's wife Jill.
Thousands of mourners packed TD Arena in Charlotte to pay tribute to Rev. Clementa Pinckney this morning with so many showing up that droves were turned away at the arena doors. Prayers, music, and remembrances have been part of the program so far this morning, the funeral taking on a celebratory air as Pinckney's family, friends, and peers paid homage to the South Carolina state senator, one of nine people killed in a deadly shooting in Charleston, SC on June 17.
Rev. George Flowers, executive director of AME's Global Witness & Ministry, said of Pinckney, "His powerful voice was a voice of reason for the hopeless .. He spoke up and spoke for those who cannot speak for themselves as they recognized they had no seat at the table." He added, "He shall be remembered... for his quick wit, his giant smile, and his enormous heart."
Rev. John Gillison called Pinckney, "A great, outstanding man, a leader of our world."
In his eulogy of Pinckney, Obama called him "a good man." He said, "He believed his efforts would deliver a better life to those who followed... Rev. Pickney embodied a politics that was neither mean nor small. He conducted himself quietly and kindly and diligently."
Obama also took the opportunity to address the Confederate flag and gun violence.
"The flag has always represented more than ancestral pride. For many, black and white, that flag was a reminder of systemic oppression."— Mashable News (@MashableNews) June 26, 2015
"The flag has always represented more than ancestral pride. For many, black and white, that flag was a reminder of systemic oppression."— Mashable News (@MashableNews) June 26, 2015
"For too long we've been blind to the unique mayhem that gun violence inflicts upon this nation." - @POTUS #ClementaPinckney— Mashable News (@MashableNews) June 26, 2015
During the eulogy, President Obama also performed a stirring rendition of "Amazing Grace," one in a series of moving moments during today's ceremonies.
President Obama was accompanied by First Lady Michele Obama. Vice President Joe Biden, his wife Dr. Jill Biden, and many other dignitaries, including Hillary Clinton, Sen. Lindsey Graham, and House Speaker John Boehner are also in attendance.
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