Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on Thursday condemned the shooting at a historically black church in Charleston, S.C. as a “tragic reminder of the ugly stain of racism” tainting America.
“This senseless violence fills me with outrage, disgust and a deep, deep sadness,” Sanders tweeted.
In a longer statement, the Democratic presidential contender said the killings, which were blamed on a white suspect whose victims included state Sen. Clementa Pinckney (D), showed that the U.S. had a long way to go in escaping its history of racial violence.
“The hateful killing of nine people praying inside a church is a horrific reminder that, while we have made significant progress in advancing civil rights in this country, we are far from eradicating racism,” he said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and their congregation,” Sanders added.
The Charleston church killings are a tragic reminder of the ugly stain of racism that still taints our nation. pic.twitter.com/3R4zKLqq2q
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 18, 2015
