Families of victims join march

Associated Press

CHARLESTON, S.C.

The pastor of a Charleston church where nine African-American worshippers were shot to death earlier this year led a march of good will, remembrance and hopes for the triumph of good over evil Saturday.

Flanked by relatives of the slain parishioners, as well as the father of a black man killed by a white law officer, the Rev. Norvel Goff of Charleston’s Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church led hundreds through the streets of the city.

Standing in front of the church known as Mother Emanuel, Goff sought to convey the message that good will was developing from the darkest of situations.

He stopped the marchers at his church, leading the crowd of several hundred in singing “We Shall Overcome,” as many participants – black and white – lifted their hands in a show of unity.

“We’re going to pray that God shows his favor on our efforts here today,” Goff said. “We are going to triumph over evil.”

During the march, organized by a labor union as part of several events known as Days of Grace, participants waved signs covering a variety of issues and demands, such as “Disarm the police!” and “Honor Reconstruction - Finish the Revolution!” Organizers in brightly colored T-shirts corralled the crowd as it wound through narrow Charleston streets, leading songs and chants, with some passers-by joining in.

Along with Goff walked the families of victims of two killings that shocked the Charleston area this year. He was joined by the father of Tywanza Sanders, who was among the nine killed at Mother Emanuel by a white gunman authorities say was motivated by racial hatred, and Walter Scott, an unarmed black man shot and killed while running from Michael Slager, a white officer in North Charleston.