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           Lines Form for Vigil to Honor Charleston Shooting Victims

   by Amanda Scott

   Lines were forming in front of a sports arena in Charleston, South
   Carolina, for a community prayer service and vigil in remembrance of
   the nine people who died in a shooting massacre at Emanuel A.M.E.
   Church Wednesday.

   Organizers had been warning that space at TD Arena was limited and
   seating would be on a first come, first serve basis. Roads around the
   arena were closed.

   In addition to the community  prayer service in Charleston, services
   were planned around the country.

   The service [at 6:00 p.m. EDT] will culminate a day of mourning in the
   southern city.

   Dozens of family members, residents and visitors paid their respects at
   a makeshift memorial outside of the church in central Charleston, South
   Carolina.

   Bouquets of flowers and ribbons decorated with the names of the victims
   lined the sidewalks outside of the church, which were blocked by police
   tape.

   Strangers varying by age and race, embraced each other, offering their
   support and vowing not to allow the tragedy to tear their city apart.

   "Our message to our community, our whole community is we appreciate all
   the love and support, but truly speaking we didn't expect any less
   because the people here are like the climate, they are warm, they're
   caring, they're loving," Marlene Coakley Jenkins, sister of [victim]
   Myra Thompson who led the bible study Wednesday night, told VOA News.

   William Dudley Gregorie, a church member and local city councilman,
   said members of  the congregation are facing a void, but would begin
   the processes of healing and moving forward. He said he was unsure as
   to to whether the church would reopen for its weekly Sunday services.



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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/lines-form-for-vigil-to-honor-charles
   ton-shooting-victims/2830273.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/lines-form-for-vigil-to-honor-charleston-shooting-victims/2830273.html