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[Dram]

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/feds-investigating-fires-at-6-black-churches-across-5-states/

Investigators believe three of the fires were arson, while causes have not yet been determined for the other fires. The ATF and FBI are involved in the investigations of fires at churches in South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennesse and Georgia, CBS News has confirmed.

The fires have not yet been linked to the June 17 massacre that left nine people dead at the Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C.

The first fire, at the College Hills Seventh Day Adventist Church, in Knoxville, Tenn., occurred the night of June 22, hours after South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley called for the Confederate flag to be removed from the state's capitol.

On June 23, a fire at the God's Power Church of Christ in Macon, Ga. was determined to be arson by investigators. The next day, June 24, the Briar Creek Baptist Church in Charlotte, N.C. was burned. Authorities, including the FBI, are also investigating both fires as possible arson.

That same night, the Fruitland Presbyterian Church, in Gibson County, Tenn. was discovered in flames. Authorities initially suspected it was an electrical fire, but a representative of the Tennessee State Fire Marshal's Office told 48 Hours' Crimesider Monday morning that the department is still investigating. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is among the agencies investigating that fire.

Two nights later, on June 26, a fire tore through the Glover Grove Baptist Church, in Warrenville, S.C. A cause has not yet been determined, but both state officials and the FBI are looking into the blaze, reports CBS affiliate WRDW.

The most recent church burning was in Elyria, Ohio, where the College Heights Baptist Church burned down on Saturday night and CBS affiliate WOIO reports that the cause of the fire is still under investigation. Federal authorities are not involved in that investigation.

The agency added that there may be more fires that have not been identified yet. The ATF is encouraging the leaders of churches that don't see daily use to check on their churches regularly.

 

[DeathoftheEndless]

"It was the man with the terrible smell!"

But seriously, that's messed up.

 

[Thequietone]

Remember it's heritage, not hate.

Spoiler

/s

 

[Fenderputty]

We could save a lot of money if the Feds just realized that racism in the country is over. Why stoke the flames here?

 

[Lightning_Roller]

This is downright terrible!! When will this shit fucking end, its just sickening.

 

[UnluckyKate]

I still rage when people tag / trash someone's else religious center or cemetery (mosque, synagogue, churches...) but here, it's the same religion, just because they are black, you burn their house of prayers ? How fucking retarted must you be to do something like this ?

 

[Deleted member 17706]

Remember it's heritage, not hate.

Spoiler

/s

Turns out the heritage was just hatred and racism!

 

[Dishwalla]

"But theys tryin to take my flags away!"

 

[Kacho]

Jesus Christ what year is it? I can't believe this is happening.

 

[Spinluck]

I'm really surprised at the states listed.

 

[Sàmban]

Stop making everything about race. Race baiters.

Edit: this is sarcasm btw.

 

[Paskil]

Jesus Christ what year is it? I can't believe this is happening.

I can.

I met someone the other night at my cousins new house party on her farm and after we had talked about other stuff, he kind of leaned in and asked me "do you like the blacks?" It was a pretty bold move and I commend the refreshing honesty in his racism. He then proceeded to play some Johnny Rebel.

I'm not exactly sure how I should have answered. If I wanted to give a negative answer, it could have been that he was just testing me to see if I was racist. Then he would have an "AHA!" moment. My actual answer was basically "they're alright." How can I give anything other than that answer to such a broad question? Sure, there are some black people I don't like just like there are white people I don't like. The number of white people I don't like far outweighs the number of black, simply as a matter of population demographics.

Racism isn't dead and we are not a post-race society.

 

[Palmer_v1]

Hater's gonna conflagrate.

 

[Daria]

We could save a lot of money if the Feds just realized that racism in the country is over. Why stoke the flames here?

 

[User 406]

Now there's another one. Mount Zion AME Church in Greeleyville, South Carolina, a church that also happened to be burned down by the KKK 20 years ago.

http://www.abcnews4.com/story/29447515/fire-at-mount-zion-ame-church-in-greeleyville