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Charleston people banned to protest at funeral for victims of church shooting

People gathered outside of Emanuel AME Church in Charleston two days after nine African-Americans were killed by Dylann Roof.

The Charleston City Council has banned protests at funeral services that will be held later this week for nine African-Americans fatally shot by a white man at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The City Council unanimously passed a temporary ordinance on Tuesday that bans protests or picketing at funerals in advance of services.

Under the decree, no one may protest or picket within 300 feet of a church or other building holding a funeral, memorial or burial for one hour before and one hour after the service.

President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will travel to Charleston on Friday to attend the funeral services of Rev. Clementa Pinckney, South Carolina state senator, who was among the victims, the White House announced on Monday.

Obama is scheduled to deliver the eulogy for Pinckney, who was leading a Bible group when 21-year-old Dylann Roof opened fire and killed nine black people last week.

Roof was arrested one day after the shooting incident in North Carolina and charged on Friday with murdering nine people.

House Speaker John Boehner will also lead a congressional delegation to attend the funeral of Pinckney.

“On Friday, members of Congress will travel to Charleston to pay our respects to the families of the victims and express the condolences of the American people,” Boehner said in a statement on Tuesday.

“The people’s House continues to keep the people of Charleston in our prayers as they mourn such senseless loss,” he said.

The killing of black people by white people in the United States has become a sensitive issue and American officials are concerned about violent protests over the recent massacre.

SB/AGB


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