CHARLESTON, S.C. — Survivors of the Pittsburgh Tree of Life Synagogue shooting sought peace and unity at the Mother Emanuel AME Church Sunday.
Survivors from both congregations shared that they are connected by tragedy and that’s why they have to stay together.
“It’s been a wonderful experience, the love is overwhelming, it’s comforting and we are trying to get past what’s happened to us,” Stephen Cohen, President of New Light Congregation, says.
Both congregations say they have one goal, to push unity.
“What people say creates action,” Cohen says. “When people say hateful things, again and again, sooner or later someone will do something, that’s what happened in Charleston and in Pittsburgh.”
Members of Mother Emanuel still say that their pain comes in crushing waves.
“I’m not sure its healed, people are better, but it’s a healing process that will take years, some days you just think about it and it brings back the horrible memories,” Willie Glee, a member of the Mother Emanuel congregation, says.
Both congregations say they have one goal, to push unity on those around them.
“What people say creates action,” Cohen says. “When people say hateful things again and again sooner or later someone will do something, that’s what happened in Charleston and in Pittsburgh.”
Members of Mother Emanuel say that their pain still comes in crushing waves.
“I’m not sure its healed, people are better, but it’s a healing process that will take years, some days you just think about it and it brings back the horrible memories,” Willie Glee, a member of the Mother Emanuel congregation, says.
Both congregations say they are now bound by their horrifying histories but find comfort within each other.
“We are all in this together we are not by ourselves when we seek peace and unity we will understand hate has no place in this world,” Eric Manning, the Senior Pastor at Mother Emanuel says.
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