At a large memorial service Friday evening in Charleston, Mayor Joe Riley said Dylann Roof — accused of fatally shooting nine people at a black church — "failed miserably" to divide the city along racial lines.
Mayor: "We share one thing in common. ... Our hearts are broken. We have an anguish like we have never had before."
Riley — who spoke during a vigil at the TD Arena for the people killed at Emanuel AME Church Wednesday — called for prayer in the wake of the killing and said Charleston is united with broken hearts.
Later, Riley said Roof's ideology is "in the dustpan of failed civilizations."
Mayor Riley: Gunman's racist ideology is "in the dustpan of failed civilizations."
Charleston also is planning a museum on the city's historic wharf, Riley announced. BuzzFeed News reporter Joel Anderson explained on Twitter that the wharf was historically where slaves were bought and sold.
The significance of building a museum at the city's historic wharf is that many African slave ships were brought to that very wharf.
The vigil began with the entrance of an honor guard playing bagpipes and drums.
Family members of the victims were later asked to stand.
Family members of shooting victims have been asked to stand. "Whatever you need from us...we commit to you right now"
From the program for tonight's vigil. #Charleston
Numerous community leaders spoke at the vigil, and, among other things, called for healing.
"God wants Charleston to be a lighthouse. ... We are one family in this community" - Elliott Summey, chairman of Charleston County Council
The crowd also joined together to sing hymns.
Political leaders also attended the vigil.
If you squint real hard, you can see Sens. Scott and Graham. Rep. Clyburn asked them to stand for the crowd.
After the vigil, hundreds of residents gathered around a sidewalk memorial, where they prayed and sang hymns.
