White House officials said today that President Barack Obama will travel to Charleston to deliver the eulogy at the funeral service for Rev. Clementa Pinckney, the state senator who was one of the nine black parishioners killed last week reportedly by a gunman who reportedly sought to start a race war.
Last week, a day after the killings, Obama stood beside Vice President Joe Biden in the White House briefing room and solemnly condemned the killings, saying that he and his wife knew Rev. Pinckney, who led worship at Mother Emanuel.
“There is something particularly heartbreaking about death happening in a place where we seek solace, and where we seek peace: In a place of worship.”
Over the weekend, the president appeared on Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast and reflected a bit more on racial progress in the U.S. and how progress can come from tragedies like those in Charleston, or Ferguson, or Baltimore that he’s had to confront this year.
According to the Post and Courier, the service will be held at TD Arena on Meeting Street, around the corner from Emanuel AME Church. ABC News reports that the president will be joined by his wife Michelle and Vice President Joe Biden at Pinckney’s funeral service on Friday. The visit will be the first since Obama’s initial campaign for the Democratic nomination for president.
Stay cool. Support City Paper.
City Paper has been bringing the best news, food, arts, music and event coverage to the Holy City since 1997. Support our continued efforts to highlight the best of Charleston with a one-time donation or become a member of the City Paper Club.