The Chronicle
Volume41,Number41 WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. THURSDAY, June 25, 2015
CHARLESTON MASSACRE
"No matter the color of the
skin, no matter the complex
ion, no matter the culture, no
matter the law, we are all of
one race, and that is the
human race,"
-Bishopn Marvin Cremedy
Photo by Erin Mizelle for the Winston-Sakm Chronicle
Bishop Marvin Cremedy prays silently during the public prayer vigil held at Vessels of Honor Church
Ministries, 3608 Ogburn Ave., on Tuesday, June 23. The special night of prayer focused on the Charleston
church slaying tragedy and churches around the world.
? 1 ? *1
Local prayer vigus
comfort hearts,
decry racial hatred
BY TORI PITTMAN
FOR THE CHRONICLE AND
DONNA ROGERS
THE CHRONICLE
On Wednesday, June 17, a white man entered in the
Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in down
town Charleston, South Carolina, and opened fire, taking
nine lives. In the awake of the shooting, a lot of churches
have come together, praying for the victims' families, the
church and the entire city of Charleston.
In Winston-Salem, prayer vigils have been held since
last week. They have drawn large and small crowds, but
they all have expressed the grief that the apparent racial
slaying has brought and hope in God.
On Tuesday, June 23, Vessels of Honor Church
Ministries (VHCM ) in Winston-Salem held a prayer vigil
in remembrance of those whose lives were lost, while
praying for the nation. A small sanctuary was filled with
words of encouragement while uplifting one another in
this time of tragedy.
VHCM member Dawn Darbone began the vigil by
reading different scriptures from the Bible. Pastor Clara
Cremedy followed with her words of prayer to the victims
of Charleston.
"This tragedy has affected all of us in this country,"
said Pastor Cremedy. "Families were affected. Someone
lost their husband, wife, mother or father."
Ten people were at the vigil, at some point either
speaking or praying to themselves.
Bishop Marvin Cremedy talked about how the vic
tims' families have shown forgiveness, and the unity that's
happening in Charleston after this incident.
"No matter the color of the skin, no matter the corn
See Vigils on A9
MAN ON THE STREET
Question: Will the killings at the black church in South
Carolina cause you not to attend church? Why or why not?
Photos and inter
views by Erin Mizelle
for the Winston
Salem Chronicle
See more
coverage on
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"Yes, it does affect
me. I feel the first
place a person should
feel safe and accept
anyone is church.
Since this happened, it
compromised a lot of
judgments.
Nowadays, you're not
safe at church or
school. Now everyone
will be on edge due to
the fact that people
have malicious
intent."
- Maurice Lewis
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MI-SNAACP
prepares for
Moral Monday
Branch looks to educate community
on historic federal voting rights trial
BY TEV1N STINSON
THE CHRONICLE
On Tuesday, June 23, the Winston-Salem Branch of ?
the NAACP held its first official meeting under newly
elected officials and executive board members.
The meeting was held at the NAACP Enrichment
Center, 4130 Oak Ridge Road. Elected members of the
executive board met at 6 p.m., followed by a separate
meeting for general members at 7 p.m.
During the general members meeting. Moral Monday
was the topic of discussion.
On July 13, the historic lawsuit N.C. NAACP v.
McCrory will be heard in federal court. It challenges
North Carolina's 2013 voter law. The Rev. Dr. William
Barber, N.C. NAACP president, believes the law repre
sents the extremist agenda of Gov. Pat McCrory and will
affect minority voters throughout the South and eventual
ly the nation.
Isaac "Ike" Howard, who was elected president of the
Winston-Salem Branch last month, said it was important
that the members ot tne local cnapier
are instrumental in educating the com
munity on the trial and what it all
means.
"This is about more than voter
rights, this is about us trying to better
the way of life in this community and
in this state," Howard said. "This is
just a moment in the movement, it's
just a small part of what we have to do
to make life better for the people of
this community."
Th^ weeks leading up to the trial, each ward in tne city
will hold a teach-in session to educate the public on the
trial and the lawsuit.
Laurel Ashtorr, N.C. NAACP field secretary, attended
the meeting and said the organization of the teach-in ses
sions was all done by city officials and the local branch of
Howard
Photos by Tevin Stinson
On Tuesday, June 23, the Winston-Salem Branch of
the NAACP held its first official meeting under the
new leadership. During the meeting at the
Enrichment Center, members discussed their plans
for Moral Monday in Winston-Salem.
the NAACP.
"I have to say the Winston-Salem chapter has already
done a amazing job," Ashton said. "Although this is the
first official meeting for the chapter the members have
been very instrumental in making sure the public is aware
of what is going on."
During the sessions, members of the NAACP and offi
cials from other states will talk about their struggles with
similar laws and how it will affect this city and state.
"This is the first voting rights case since Shelby v.
Holder," Ashton said."This is a once-in-a lifetime oppor
tunity, and we must make a impact now because it will
affect the entire nation."
Forsyth County Commissioner Walter Marshall said,
"More important than the march, we must make sure that
the people stay involved and educated."
"Everything depends on getting people involved,"
Marshall said. "Education and economics are our salva
tion. We can't march, then forget about the cause. We
must educate the public and make sure they continue to
fight for what's right."
Marshall, a member of the local chapter since 1969.
also said that it is important that the younger generation
get involved with the NAACP to carry on the tradition.
"Young people have to realize that he NAACP is more
important now than ever. The youth of this community
have to educate themselves on what happened in the past
to prepare for the future."
On the first day of the trial, there will be a teach-in ses
sion from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Goler Memorial A.M.E.
Zion Church, 630 N. Patterson Ave., followed by a march
and rally at the Corpening Plaza, 231 W. 1st St.
For more information on the trial or on the Moral
Monday March, visit www.naacpnc.org.
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