One of the nine people killed in the shooting rampage at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina on Wednesday night was 41-year old Reverend Clementa Pinckney. Pinckney was not only the pastor of the historic church, but he was also a Democratic State Senator in the South Carolina legislature.
Pinckney represented South Carolina’s 45th Senate district, a racially diverse district that consists of suburbs and rural communities Southwest of Charleston. Pinckney was instrumental in pushing through the Senate a bill that would require body cameras on police officers, following the shooting death of Walter Scott by a cop in North Charleston.
Reverend Pinckney spent his final day campaigning for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. Pinckney was beloved by his colleagues, who regarded him as the “moral conscience” of the South Carolina Senate. Although he was just 41 years of age, he had served in state politics for 18 years, first being elected to the State House in 1996 at the age of 23. Pinckney won his first State Senate race in 2000.
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Pinckney started his preaching career at an even earlier age than he began his political career. He came from a family with a rich history of preachers, many of whom were involved in the Civil Rights movements of the 20th century. Pinckney was ordained as a minister at the age of 18, and he served several congregations in South Carolina prior to becoming the preacher at Emanuel AME in 2010.
Pinckney is survived by his wife Jennifer, and two daughters, Eliana and Malana. His passing is not only a tragic loss for his family, friends and congregation, but it also a great loss for the people of South Carolina who he represented in the State Senate.
Reverend Pinckney’s service to his congregation and his community will not be forgotten. He was a dedicated pastor and a committed public servant who made it his life’s mission to help others. May he rest in piece, but may those who mourn his passing carry on and continue to fight for all he stood for.
Keith Brekhus is a progressive American who currently resides in Red Lodge, Montana. He is co-host for the Liberal Fix radio show. He holds a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Missouri. In 2002, he ran for Congress as a Green Party candidate in the state of Missouri. In 2014, he worked as a field organizer for Democrat Ann Kirkpatrick’s successful re-election bid in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District. He can be followed on Twitter @keithbrekhus or on Facebook.
