HRC Statement On Charleston Church Shooting

WASHINGTON, June 18, 2015 – Today, Chad Griffin, President of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, issued the following statement regarding the shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC. In coordination with state and local authorities, the case is being investigated by federal authorities as an apparent hate crime."Today we are once again tragically reminded of the serious and widespread problem we face as a nation with violent, hate-motivated crimes – a problem which we as a nation must commit to addressing. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the communities impacted by this horrific and senseless tragedy in Charleston seemingly targeted because of their race. As this heinous crime reverberates across the entire country, we stand united with allies and friends nationwide to end the cycle of violence motivated by hatred."

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. HRC envisions a world where LGBT people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.