South Carolina

Satellite image of a storm landing on the United States Atlantic coast.
catherine lizette gonzalez  Sep 14, 2018 4:29PM EDT

South Carolina Refused to Evacuate Incarcerated People Ahead of Hurricane Florence

“If Governor McMaster truly does not want to ‘gamble with the lives of the people of South Carolina,’ he needs to make sure that the prison system is up to par, or evacuate the inmates just as he has ordered the rest of us to do.”
Black woman and man and White man look at grey sign in front of brown buildings
Sameer Rao  Jun 21, 2018 1:11PM EDT

ICYMI: Charleston Officially Apologizes for Role in Trade of Enslaved Africans

Nearly half of all Africans sold into bondage in the United States came through Charleston. The city council aimed to account for that history with a resolution passed on Juneteenth.
Bobby Ray Edwards. White man in orange.
Kenrya Rankin  Oct 12, 2017 11:43AM EDT

White Man Indicted for Enslaving Black Man With Cognitive Deficits

Bobby Paul Edwards allegedly abused John Christopher Smith at the restaurant where he worked for five years.
Red flag with navy bars and white stars flies from brown flagpole in front of brown and green buildings and blue sky
Sameer Rao  Oct 10, 2017 5:17PM EDT

South Carolina State Reps Propose Memorial for Black Confederate Soldiers

Confederate sympathizers have promoted stories about Black Civil War veterans—the vast majority of whom were enslaved peoples, conscripted into Confederate service—since the 1970s.
White man in black suit with blue tie sits behind brown podium with black microphone and computer monitors in front of white and brown wall
Sameer Rao  May 3, 2017 3:20PM EDT

Michael Slager Pleads Guilty to Violating Walter Scott's Civil Rights

The former North Charleston, South Carolina, police officer faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for fatally shooting Scott, an unarmed Black motorist, in the back during a traffic stop.
White man with blonde hair and blue-striped prison uniform next to White man in black suit and man in green blazer
Sameer Rao  Nov 28, 2016 2:47PM EST

Dylann Roof Allowed to Defend Himself in Federal Trial for Charleston Massacre

Despite reservations, the presiding judge permitted Roof to be his own attorney three days after he was ruled mentally competent to stand trial for the killing of nine Black civilians in 2015.
Michael Slager in white and gray striped coveralls and handcuffs
Kenrya Rankin  Oct 31, 2016 1:17PM EDT

Walter Scott Police-Involved Killing Trial Begins Today

Former North Charleston (South Carolina) Police Department officer Michael Slager claimed Scott was going for his Taser when he shot him. Bystander video showed the unarmed Black man was running away when he was killed.
A sign points to an evacuation route as South Florida residents prepare for Hurricane Matthew on October 5, 2016, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The hurricane has pounded Jamaica and Haiti on its way north toward the U.S. coastline.
Yessenia Funes  Oct 5, 2016 12:25PM EDT

Hurricane Matthew Prompts Evacuations in South Carolina, Kills At Least 11 in the Caribbean

It is the strongest storm to touch the Atlantic in nearly a decade. 
Kenrya Rankin  Sep 6, 2016 12:30PM EDT

ICYMI: No Charges for #AssaultAtSpringValley Cop

Solicitor Dan Johnson: “While I do not believe that the actions of Benjamin Fields in this incident rise to the level of criminal conduct, the manner in which he performed his duties on Oct. 26, 2015, is of great concern to me not only as a prosecutor, but also as a citizen of this community.”
Barbara O. Jones in multicolored dress against brown tree trunk
Sameer Rao  Aug 24, 2016 3:43PM EDT

WATCH: New Trailer for Restored Version of Julie Dash's Seminal 'Daughters of the Dust'

The 1991 film is cited as an inspiration for Beyoncé’s visual album “Lemonade.”
People stand looking at colorful memorial in front of white church
Kenrya Rankin  Jun 17, 2016 1:43PM EDT

We Remember: The Charleston Massacre, 1 Year Later

Say their names.
Sameer Rao  Apr 14, 2016 11:51AM EDT

Charleston Shooter's Trial Delayed Until Next Year

Dylann Roof faces the death penalty for killing nine Black worshippers at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Chuch in Charleston, South Carolina, last year.  
Kenrya Rankin  Apr 6, 2016 3:55PM EDT

Loretta Lynch to Decide if Charleston Shooter Should Face Death Penalty

Dylann Roof faces 33 federal hate crime and firearms charges.
Sameer Rao  Feb 29, 2016 11:26AM EST

Hillary Clinton Wins South Carolina Primary, DNC Vice Chair Quits to Endorse Bernie Sanders

Tulsi Gabbard: “I think it’s most important for us … to recognize the necessity to have a commander in chief who has foresight, who exercises good judgment.”
Sameer Rao  Feb 25, 2016 1:57PM EST

READ: Jamilah King's Poignant Analysis of Black Women's Political Agency

King draws on her own experience with gun violence and police neglect.
Sameer Rao  Feb 25, 2016 12:26PM EST

#WhichHillary Trends After Activists Interrupt Clinton at Fundraiser

Ashley Williams interrupted Clinton during a private fundraiser in Charleston, South Carolina. 
Kenrya Rankin  Feb 23, 2016 1:46PM EST

LISTEN: Spike Lee Tells South Carolina Voters to Pick Bernie Sanders

From “wake up” to “do the right thing,” the director uses lines from his classic movies to urge people to choose Sanders in the state’s upcoming Democratic primary.
Sameer Rao  Feb 11, 2016 1:43PM EST

Congressional Black Caucus PAC Endorses Hillary Clinton

Both Democratic presidential hopefuls are actively seeking support from communities of color. 
Sameer Rao  Jan 26, 2016 11:45AM EST

14 Citadel Cadets Punished for Wearing Klan-Like Hoods

The military college is also creating a diversity taskforce in the wake of the December incident. 
Kenrya Rankin  Dec 18, 2015 12:22PM EST

Activists Petition South Carolina to #DropTheCharges for Spring Valley Students

The two girls involved in the #AssaultAtSpringValleyHigh are facing charges of disturbing schools and assault on an officer.