The Heinous Faces Of Terrorism In Black America

Racism remains “a blight” on society, US President Barack Obama says, in the wake of the killing of nine African-Americans by a White Terrorist inside a South Carolina church.

Earlier, Dylann Roof, 21, appeared in court to face nine murder charges.

Like an animal, he showed no emotion as relatives of the victims addressed him directly. “I forgive you” said one victim’s daughter, fighting back tears.

Speaking in San Francisco, Mr Obama said: “The apparent motivations of the shooter remind us that racism remains a blight that we have to combat together.

“We have to be vigilant because it still lingers.”

He said, when it’s poisoning the minds of young white people, it betrays the ideals and tears of the so-called American democracy.

The Heinous Face Of Terrorism In Black America

Charleston vigil

Mr Obama also called for a new debate and action in America.

“It’s not enough for us to express sympathy; we have to take action,” he said.

At a Charleston sports arena, thousands gathered on Friday evening to remember the victims with prayers. They joined hands to sing We Shall Overcome.

In court in Charleston on Friday afternoon, Mr Roof spoke to confirm his name, age and address and said he was unemployed.

Then relatives were invited by the judge to come forward and speak.

A woman who identified herself as the daughter of Ethel Lance said: “You took something very precious from me. I will never talk to her ever again.

“I will never be able to hold her again, but I forgive you. And [may God] have mercy on your soul.”

Anthony Thompson, a relative of Myra Thompson, told Mr Roof to repent and to turn to Jesus Christ. “I forgive you and my family forgives you,” he said.

Also speaking in court was Felecia Sanders, who survived the attack on Wednesday night by playing dead. Her son, Tywanza, was fatally shot.

“We welcomed you Wednesday night in our Bible study with open arms.

“You have killed some of the most beautifulest people that I know. Every fibre in my body hurts … and I’ll never be the same,” she said to Mr Roof, who appeared via a video feed.

The Victims

• Cynthia Hurd, 54
• Rev Clementa Pinckney, 41
• Rev Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45
• Tywanza Sanders, 26
• Ethel Lance, 70
• Rev Depayne Middleton-Doctor, 49
• Susie Jackson, 87
• Rev Daniel Simmons Sr, 74
• Myra Thompson, 59

Court documents have revealed new details about the shooting.

Mr Roof entered the church just after 20:00 local time (01:00 BST) on Wednesday night and remained with the worshippers for nearly an hour before launching his attack.

All of the victims were hit multiple times, the documents said.

Before leaving, Mr Roof stood over one person who was not shot and uttered a racially inflammatory statement – “You rape our women and you want to take over this country.”

Mr Roof has been remanded in custody.

South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley said the state would “absolutely” look for the death penalty.

Cornell William Brooks, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said: “This was not merely a mass shooting, not merely a matter of gun violence, this was a racial hate crime and must be confronted as such.”