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Charleston shootings: Emanuel AME church reopens Charleston shootings: Emanuel AME church reopens
(35 minutes later)
People are queuing up to enter the African-American church in which nine parishioners were shot dead in South Carolina, as it reopens for services. Hundreds of people have flocked to the African-American church in which nine parishioners were shot dead in South Carolina, as it reopens for services.
Some members of Emanuel AME church met again on Saturday in the room where their friends died on Wednesday. Security was tight ahead of the service which started at 09:30 (13:30 GMT).
Many people are expected to attend the main service at 09:00 (13:00 GMT). A black cloth was placed over the chair of Reverend Clementa Pinckney, one of the victims of the attack.
Meanwhile, police are investigating an online post, possibly by the gunman, which appears to outline his motivation for the attack.Meanwhile, police are investigating an online post, possibly by the gunman, which appears to outline his motivation for the attack.
Bullet holes removedBullet holes removed
One of those who attended Saturday's meeting, Harold Washington, said the church's doors would be open to all. A group from the Emanuel AME church met again on Saturday in the room where their friends died on Wednesday.
One of those who attended, Harold Washington, said the church's doors would be open to all.
"It's a church of the Lord - you don't turn nobody down.""It's a church of the Lord - you don't turn nobody down."
Mr Washington said the cleaners had to cut bullet holes out of the walls so that members of the congregation would not see them on Sunday.Mr Washington said the cleaners had to cut bullet holes out of the walls so that members of the congregation would not see them on Sunday.
Bells at more than a dozen churches will also ring simultaneously throughout the state of South Carolina in a sign of solidarity.Bells at more than a dozen churches will also ring simultaneously throughout the state of South Carolina in a sign of solidarity.
According to AP, some worshippers were allowed in through a side door to attend a Sunday school ahead of the main service. Survivors say Dylann Roof spent close to an hour in an evening bible study group on Wednesday before opening fire.
Survivors say Dylann Roof spent close to an hour attending a church service on Wednesday before opening fire.
Crowds gathered outside the historic church on Saturday to hear pastors from across the US lead prayers. Many travelled hundreds of kilometres from across the country to pay their respects.Crowds gathered outside the historic church on Saturday to hear pastors from across the US lead prayers. Many travelled hundreds of kilometres from across the country to pay their respects.
"There was an overwhelming feeling that made me drive here," said Monte Talmadge, a 62-year-old army veteran who drove nearly 300 miles (480km) to get to Charleston."There was an overwhelming feeling that made me drive here," said Monte Talmadge, a 62-year-old army veteran who drove nearly 300 miles (480km) to get to Charleston.
A rally was also held in the city by the Black Lives Matter movement, which began after the 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman over the killing of an unarmed African-American teenager, Trayvon Martin.A rally was also held in the city by the Black Lives Matter movement, which began after the 2013 acquittal of George Zimmerman over the killing of an unarmed African-American teenager, Trayvon Martin.
'Take it down''Take it down'
In South Carolina's state capital, Columbia, protests took place to demand the removal of the Confederate flag from the capitol building.In South Carolina's state capital, Columbia, protests took place to demand the removal of the Confederate flag from the capitol building.
The flag was a symbol used by southern states in the civil war, when they tried to break away to prevent the abolition of slavery.The flag was a symbol used by southern states in the civil war, when they tried to break away to prevent the abolition of slavery.
It is viewed by many as a sign of the white supremacy advocated by those states at the time.It is viewed by many as a sign of the white supremacy advocated by those states at the time.
The protest followed US President Barack Obama's remark that the flag belonged "in a museum".The protest followed US President Barack Obama's remark that the flag belonged "in a museum".
Protesters chanted "Take it down" and sang We Shall Overcome, an anthem of the black civil rights movement.Protesters chanted "Take it down" and sang We Shall Overcome, an anthem of the black civil rights movement.
On Friday, South Carolina's Republican state representative Doug Brannon told MSNBC that he planned to introduce legislation to remove the flag.On Friday, South Carolina's Republican state representative Doug Brannon told MSNBC that he planned to introduce legislation to remove the flag.
On Saturday, images emerged on a website showing Dylann Roof posing with the Confederate flag. In others, he is seen burning the US flag and visiting a former slave plantation.On Saturday, images emerged on a website showing Dylann Roof posing with the Confederate flag. In others, he is seen burning the US flag and visiting a former slave plantation.
In one image, he is shown staring down the camera while sitting on a chair in camouflage trousers holding a gun.In one image, he is shown staring down the camera while sitting on a chair in camouflage trousers holding a gun.
It is unclear who posted the images on the site, which was found on Saturday.It is unclear who posted the images on the site, which was found on Saturday.
The website - since taken down - also carried a 2,000-word racist manifesto, the origins of which are also unknown.The website - since taken down - also carried a 2,000-word racist manifesto, the origins of which are also unknown.
The author says Charleston was chosen for the attack because of its history of slavery and its large black population.The author says Charleston was chosen for the attack because of its history of slavery and its large black population.
Internet records suggest the website's domain was registered in February but it is unclear who was behind it.Internet records suggest the website's domain was registered in February but it is unclear who was behind it.
The FBI says it is investigating the website.The FBI says it is investigating the website.
Data from the images show many of them were taken in April and May this year.Data from the images show many of them were taken in April and May this year.
The victimsThe victims
The victims of the Charleston shootingThe victims of the Charleston shooting