BLACK VOICES

18 Powerful Photos Of People Around The Nation Standing In Solidarity With Charleston

By Lilly Workneh

Millions nationwide mourn the loss of nine black lives lost in Wednesday's shooting by gunman Dylann Roof at Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

On Friday, family members expressed forgiveness over Roof's heinous act. The worshippers who were killed have been identified as Myra Thompson, 59; Cynthia Hurd, 54; Ethel Lance, 70; Rev. DePayne Middleton-Doctor, 49; Hon. Rev. Tywanza Sanders, 26; Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., 74; Susie Jackson, 87; Rev. Sharonda Singleton, 45; AND Clementa Pinckney, 41.

Meanwhile, vigils have been held in Charleston, as well as in cities across the country, to remember and reflect on the innocent lives lost.

Here are 18 photos that show our nation standing together:

  • Olina Ortega, left, and Austin Gibbs light candles at a sidewalk memorial in front of Emanuel AME Church where people were ki
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
    Olina Ortega, left, and Austin Gibbs light candles at a sidewalk memorial in front of Emanuel AME Church where people were killed by a white gunman Wednesday during a prayer meeting inside the historic black church in Charleston, S.C., Thursday, June 18, 2015.
  • Betty Maddox, of Conyers, Ga., sings at the interfaith prayer vigil at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Thursday, June 1
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
    Betty Maddox, of Conyers, Ga., sings at the interfaith prayer vigil at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta on Thursday, June 18, 2015.
  • Mourners gather at Marion Square for a candlelight vigil, Thursday, June 18, 2015, near the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
    Mourners gather at Marion Square for a candlelight vigil, Thursday, June 18, 2015, near the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, S.C. Dylann Storm Roof, 21, was arrested Thursday in the slayings of several people, including the pastor at a prayer meeting inside the historic black church.
  • People participate in a candle light vigil at Marion Square near the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June
    BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images
    People participate in a candle light vigil at Marion Square near the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 18, 2015.
  • An emotional Senate staffer Travis Norton, right, joins other staff members and members of Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washi
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
    An emotional Senate staffer Travis Norton, right, joins other staff members and members of Congress, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 18, 2015, during a vigil to mourn the shooting victims of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC.
  • Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., and other members of Congress, attends a prayer vigil on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
    Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., and other members of Congress, attends a prayer vigil on Capitol Hill in Washington, Thursday, June 18, 2015, to mourn the shooting victims of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC.
  • U.S. Sen. Tim Scott bows his head in prayer during a prayer vigil held at Morris Brown AME Church in NYC for the victims of
    Grace Beahm/The Post And Courier via AP
    U.S. Sen. Tim Scott bows his head in prayer during a prayer vigil held at Morris Brown AME Church in NYC for the victims of Wednesday's shooting at Emanuel AME Church on Thursday, June 18, 2015 in Charleston, S.C.
  • Rev. Jeannie Smalls cries during a prayer vigil held at Morris Brown AME Church in New York City for the victims of Wednesday
    ASSOCIATED PRESS
    Rev. Jeannie Smalls cries during a prayer vigil held at Morris Brown AME Church in New York City for the victims of Wednesday's shooting at Emanuel AME Church on Thursday, June 18, 2015 in Charleston, S.C.
  • Hands are raised during a prayer vigil held at Morris Brown AME Church in New York City for the victims of Wednesday's shooti
    Grace Beahm/The Post And Courier via AP
    Hands are raised during a prayer vigil held at Morris Brown AME Church in New York City for the victims of Wednesday's shooting at Emanuel AME Church on Thursday, June 18, 2015 in Charleston, S.C.
  • The crowd applauds during a prayer vigil held at Morris Brown AME Church in New York City for the victims of Wednesday's shoo
    Grace Beahm/The Post And Courier via AP
    The crowd applauds during a prayer vigil held at Morris Brown AME Church in New York City for the victims of Wednesday's shooting at Emanuel AME Church on Thursday, June 18, 2015 in Charleston, S.C.
  • Those gathered at the prayer vigil at Morris Brown AME Episcopal Church sing a hymn together in Charleston, South Carolina.
    The Washington Post via Getty Images
    Those gathered at the prayer vigil at Morris Brown AME Episcopal Church sing a hymn together in Charleston, South Carolina.
  • From left, Reverend Richard Harkness holds hands with Reverend Jack Lewin during a prayer vigil held at Morris Brown AME Chur
    Grace Beahm/The Post And Courier via AP
    From left, Reverend Richard Harkness holds hands with Reverend Jack Lewin during a prayer vigil held at Morris Brown AME Church in New York City for the victims of Wednesday's shooting at Emanuel AME Church on Thursday, June 18, 2015 in Charleston, S.C.
  • Members of the public filled the Morris Brown AME Church to capacity in downtown Charleston Thursday afternoon for a prayer v
    The Washington Post via Getty Images
    Members of the public filled the Morris Brown AME Church to capacity in downtown Charleston Thursday afternoon for a prayer vigil.
  • Mourners hold a prayer vigil for the nine victims of last night's shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopa
    Eric Thayer via Getty Images
    Mourners hold a prayer vigil for the nine victims of last night's shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina June 18, 2015 at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church: Bethel in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.
  • Mourners hold a prayer vigil for the nine victims of last night's shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopa
    Eric Thayer via Getty Images
    Mourners hold a prayer vigil for the nine victims of last night's shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina June 18, 2015 at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church: Bethel in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.
  • Mourners hold a prayer vigil for the nine victims of last night's shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopa
    Eric Thayer via Getty Images
    Mourners hold a prayer vigil for the nine victims of last night's shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina June 18, 2015 at the First African Methodist Episcopal Church: Bethel in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.
  • Clergy leaders and other mourners march during a prayer vigil for the nine victims of last night's shooting at the historic E
    Eric Thayer via Getty Images
    Clergy leaders and other mourners march during a prayer vigil for the nine victims of last night's shooting at the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina June 18, 2015 in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.
  • Mourners gather in Union Square Park June 18, 2015 in New York in to remember those killed at a prayer meeting in Charleston,
    DON EMMERT via Getty Images
    Mourners gather in Union Square Park June 18, 2015 in New York in to remember those killed at a prayer meeting in Charleston, South Carolina.
testPromoTitleReplace testPromoDekReplace Join HuffPost Today! No thanks.
HuffPost

BEFORE YOU GO

PHOTO GALLERY
Charleston Shooting
Black Voices Senior Editor, HuffPost
Suggest a correction

MORE:

Black Voices Racism Black Lives Matter South Carolina Charleston Shooting