The following is a statement from the Counter Extremism Project:

“The Counter Extremism Project (CEP) mourns the tragic slaying of nine innocent African American citizens gathered for Bible study in a Charleston, South Carolina church.This was a vicious and cowardly crime motivated by hate and extremism of the kind that our country should condemn and rid itself of once and for all. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends of the victims:The Rev. Clementa Pinckney; Sharonda Coleman-Singleton; Cynthia Hurd; Tywanza Sanders; Myra Thompson; Ethel Lee Lance; Daniel L. Simmons; the Rev. Depayne Middleton Doctor; and Susie Jackson.”