Palmetto Scene Special Report: The Charleston Tragedy - June 18, 2015
A tribute to those who died on Wednesday, June 17, 2015 as they held Bible Study in Charleston's Emanuel A.M.E. Church. This program was produced the day after the shootings and provides a tribute to the victims, coverage of President Barack Obama's press conference from earlier in the day (June 18, 2015), followed by a discussion between Dr. Lonnie Randolph, President of the SC NAACP, and Sen. John Scott of Richland County with host P.A. Bennett. Dr. Randolph provides an update on the work the FBI is doing to investigate the crime, and that of law enforcement, as well as the capture of the alleged shooter earlier that day. Sen. Scott reflects on Sen. Clementa Pinckney's life and his work on economic development, education and health care, as well as his work in the Emanuel A.M.E. Church, which he pastored. They discussed the fact that S.C. does not have a hate crime law. They also discussed the need for healing and concerns about racial tension.
Included are comments about the incident from residents of Charleston, as well as Rep. Todd Rutherford of Richland County and former S.C. Rep. Bakari Sellers, who reflected on the work done every day by Sen. Clementa Pinckney,
The conversation continues with Henrietta Baskins of the Greater Columbia Community Relations Council and Sgt. Kevin Lawrence, PIO, Richland County Sheriff's Department, who discuss the need for healing. They also discuss issues of privacy, questions about the behavior of the shooter, and gun laws.
