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Who is burning black churches? Twitter outrage grows as seventh church burns down in 10 days Who is burning black churches? Fears grow as seventh church burns down in 10 days
(about 1 hour later)
Concerns are growing in the southern US over a spate of suspected arson incidents at black churches in the wake of the South Carolina shooting. Concerns are growing in the southern US over a spate of possible arson incidents at black churches in the wake of the South Carolina shooting.
Seven historically black churches have been burned down in just 10 days across four southern states, after the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal church was “gutted” by flames on Tuesday night. Seven historically black churches have burned down in just 10 days across four southern states, after the Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal church was “gutted” by flames on Tuesday night.
It comes after Dylann Roof was accused of killing nine people in an attack on the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on 17 June. He has been charged with nine counts of murder and hate crimes.It comes after Dylann Roof was accused of killing nine people in an attack on the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on 17 June. He has been charged with nine counts of murder and hate crimes.
The latest church burning came just nine hours after the NAACP issued a statement “alerting black churches to take necessary precautions”.The latest church burning came just nine hours after the NAACP issued a statement “alerting black churches to take necessary precautions”.
Heavy fire at Mt Zion AME church near Greeleyville in Williamsburg County. Mutual aid dept's on scene. pic.twitter.com/GoQESXdJPSHeavy fire at Mt Zion AME church near Greeleyville in Williamsburg County. Mutual aid dept's on scene. pic.twitter.com/GoQESXdJPS
And the FBI has said it is investigating the spate of burnings, at least two of which have been described by the authorities as clear cases of arson, but that it was too early to say if they were linked. An unnamed source at the FBI, which has said it is investigating the spate of burnings, has since told the Associated Press that the Mount Zion fire was not believed to be arson.
Nonetheless, people have started expressing anger on social media that the burnings appear to have garnered little coverage from US news organisations. Local officials also observed that the fire appeared to break out during storms and that the accidental burning of churches is not uncommon across the US.
But the FBI has said that at least two of the incidents in the past 10 days were clear cases of arson, and some people on Twitter have said they are not receiving enough coverage from US news organisations.
They have been calling for more to be done to both cover and investigate the incidents under the hashtag #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches, which has received more than 150,000 mentions in just seven days.They have been calling for more to be done to both cover and investigate the incidents under the hashtag #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches, which has received more than 150,000 mentions in just seven days.
What if there were a resurgence of terrorist attacks on American churches. Should 24news make time for that? #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches?What if there were a resurgence of terrorist attacks on American churches. Should 24news make time for that? #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches?
If a foreign power did this, we would call it an invasion and respond accordingly. #WhoIsBurningBlackChurchesIf a foreign power did this, we would call it an invasion and respond accordingly. #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches
Define terrorism: Me telling my mother not to attend church this Sunday #WhoIsBurningBlackChurchesDefine terrorism: Me telling my mother not to attend church this Sunday #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches
I seen dumpsters set on fire in riots get more news coverage than these churches #WhoIsBurningBlackChurchesI seen dumpsters set on fire in riots get more news coverage than these churches #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches
US media virtually ignores #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches because they're collusion with racism lit the fire. #MississippiBurningUS media virtually ignores #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches because they're collusion with racism lit the fire. #MississippiBurning
Asking why and asking who but everyone knows the answers. The problem is the lack of action. #WhoIsBurningBlackChurchesAsking why and asking who but everyone knows the answers. The problem is the lack of action. #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches
BC you aren't black doesn't mean you shouldn't be effected. Our CHRISTIAN brothers and sisters are being attacked #WhoIsBurningBlackChurchesBC you aren't black doesn't mean you shouldn't be effected. Our CHRISTIAN brothers and sisters are being attacked #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches
Hey, let's start burning huddle houses, truck stops, 4H clubs, and banks. If you want press, that'll do it. #WhoIsBurningBlackChurchesHey, let's start burning huddle houses, truck stops, 4H clubs, and banks. If you want press, that'll do it. #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches
.@bpshow #WhoisBurningBlackChurches Talk about this! This is #7 in a week! https://t.co/A9Wh9Yzcgc.@bpshow #WhoisBurningBlackChurches Talk about this! This is #7 in a week! https://t.co/A9Wh9Yzcgc
Mount Zion AME, the last church to burn, was previously victim to an arson attack by two members of the Ku Klux Klan on 20 June, 1995. Mount Zion AME Church burned down on June 20, 1995.Mount Zion AME, the last church to burn, was previously victim to an arson attack by two members of the Ku Klux Klan on 20 June, 1995. Mount Zion AME Church burned down on June 20, 1995.
Cezar McKnight, a South Carolina Democrat, told the Post and Courier: “South Carolina has been through a lot the last two weeks and we’ve made the best of a terrible situation.Cezar McKnight, a South Carolina Democrat, told the Post and Courier: “South Carolina has been through a lot the last two weeks and we’ve made the best of a terrible situation.
“I would hate for this to be something somebody did on purpose to try to poison the love and fellowship.”“I would hate for this to be something somebody did on purpose to try to poison the love and fellowship.”