MEMPHIS, Tenn. — “It is not a surprise to us. We are not unclear that this kind of threat is possible in our congregations,” said one member of the St. Andrews AME Church.
Worshipers came together to pray for those who died in the Charleston church shooting.
Although they haven’t lost hope, they said they were still concerned.
Some said too many places of worship are becoming easy targets for hate crimes.
“I think right now we’re in a society where there’s no respect for schools, churches or any place where people gather,” said Michael Steward, a member of the church. “We have just lost focus as a society.”
“It’s a possibility they could become targets. They have been in the past. I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t in the future and it will continue until we as people decide that enough is enough,” said Donna Owens.
Reverend Kenneth Robinson said he knew the pastor of the Charleston church who was killed.
“I had the opportunity to have met Dr. Pinckney. He was a luminary in our AME church. A young man who clearly had a very unique profile, he was an up and coming leader in the denomination,” he said.
Many worshipers said what happened in Charleston is a perfect example why people need to pay attention to what’s going on around them where they worship.