You are here

In Response to Charleston

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Dear students, campus colleagues, and community members,

Last night, a gunman entered the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, killing 9 people in an act that has been deemed a hate crime by Charleston police officials. Places of worship have been and are centers of peace, support, and social activism, particularly within the African American community, and the violence last night in the Emanuel AME Church may be deeply upsetting for many. The thoughts of the Illinois community are with the victims’ families, the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal congregation, and the City of Charleston at this time. It is understandable that there is a lot of emotion surrounding the massacre in South Carolina as with any hate crime. We have offered support during very difficult social and political moments in our nation’s history and this moment will not be any different.

 

Rory G. James
Director, Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center
Office of Inclusion & Intercultural Relations

Dr. Ronald William Bailey
Department Head
Department of African-American Studies

Dr. Gigi Secuban
Associate Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs/
Director, Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations

Dr. C. Renée Romano
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs

 

Vigils being held Friday, June 19th

Rev. Larry Lewis of Bethel AME is inviting the community to a vigil at his congregation (401 E. Park St., C — near the intersection of University and Fourth) at noon.  

The Religious Workers’ Association is holding a vigil at Latzer Hall at the University YMCA (1001 S. Wright St.), also at noon. The vigil is scheduled to last 1/2 hour, after which the hall will be open for silent meditation and reflection until 1 PM.

 

Donations may be made to support the families through the City of Charleston's Mother Emanuel Hope Fund.

Website for Online Contributions:

http://www.motheremanuelhopefund.com/

The fund will also be accepting checks made out to “Mother Emanuel Hope Fund” at the following address:

Mother Emanuel Hope Fund
C/O City of Charleston
P.O. Box 304
Charleston, SC 29402