Remembering the Emanuel 9: Daily Tributes at Allen University – ABC Columbia

Nearly a decade has passed since the heartbreaking shooting at Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, which took the lives of nine innocent people. To honor their memory, Allen University in Columbia has unveiled a moving tribute at its Boeing Center.

The tribute features the last names of the Emanuel 9 prominently displayed at the entrance. Inside, busts of each victim serve as a reminder of their humanity and the loss felt by many. One of the victims, Reverend Daniel Simmons, was an alumnus of Allen University.

Rose Simmons, his daughter, expressed deep gratitude for the tribute, saying, “My heart is overflowing with thanksgiving for their lives.” She first learned about the university’s plans for a memorial five years ago, highlighting how it reflects love and compassion from the community.

The youngest victim, Tywanza Sanders, was just 26 years old and had graduated from Allen University with a degree in Business Administration. Reverend Clementa Pinckney, another graduate of Allen and the church’s senior pastor, also lost his life that day.

Rose shared her belief that her father is always with her. “Every day I wake up, I see his strength and courage,” she noted. Roof, the perpetrator, was sentenced to death, marking him as the first person in the U.S. to receive that penalty for a federal hate crime.

A documentary titled “One Last Breathe,” set to premiere on June 5th, dives into Reverend Simmons’ life and aims to assist the healing process for his family. Rose says being part of this narrative is an honor, highlighting the enduring impact of the Emanuel 9.

As communities continue to heal, memorials like the one at Allen University serve as vital reminders. They encourage reflection on the past and a commitment to prevent such tragedies in the future.

For those wanting to learn more about the larger implications of hate crimes, the FBI reports that hate crimes surged by 20% from 2020 to 2021, emphasizing the ongoing need for awareness and action against intolerance. You can read more about this in the FBI Hate Crime Statistics.

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