Church burnings have happened in the United States in years past. It seems that the heinous acts have returned, amid recent news. Six churches were burned in the last seven days in different states.
Via Twitter, a recent hashtag has sparked debate after six black churches were burned over the past week. Though the burnings weren’t in the same states, many believe they’re tied to a larger, connected scheme and aren’t merely coincidence.
As reports WSB-2 Atlanta, FBI investigators have been scrutinizing the crimes, and three of the six church burnings have been confirmed as arsons. However, the bureau is still investigating the other three.
The burnings have occurred in Tennessee, Ohio, North and South Carolinas, Florida, and Georgia. The medium reports that the first fires began on June 22, 2015, in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Seventh-Day Adventist Church in the area was the target. Most recently reported was a church burning on June 27, 2015, in Elyria, Ohio.
FBI Spokesperson Paul Bresson says that it can’t be determined as of yet if the crimes are related. He quotes as follows.
“They’re being investigated to determine who is responsible and what motives are behind them. I’m not sure there is any reason to link them together at this point.”
As reports NPR, one of the church burnings happened at Glover Grove Baptist Church in Warrenville, South Carolina.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division released a statement regarding the cause of the fire. It is as follows.
“Based upon the scene examination and the evidence collected, agents were unable to determine an exact origin or fire cause. As a result, agents were unable to eliminate all accidental ignition sources. Investigators observed no element of criminal intent. The cause of the fire was best classified as undetermined.”
However, several people on Twitter have a lot to say in regards to the matter. Most of all, they wonder why major news media outlets aren’t reporting on this issue.
CVS: wall-to-wall coverage. Church arson: crickets. @CNN @FoxNews @seanhannity etc show true colors. #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches
— marc rodrigues (@mprodrig) June 30, 2015
Burning CVS? “Tangible proof of blacks depravity” Burn black churches down? “We need more evidence.” #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches
— Black Magic Woman (@jananamirah) June 30, 2015
Church is a home away from home for many blacks. This is domestic TERRORISM. Act like it. #WhoIsBurningBlackChurches pic.twitter.com/9Lo0dKH4CS
— Why So Serious? (@The4th_Duck) June 30, 2015
Series of fires at African-American churches across US south prompts FBI investigation http://t.co/3adBZvKRKp pic.twitter.com/lEQ4epizrf
— BBC News US (@BBCNewsUS) June 29, 2015
#WhoIsBurningBlackChurches and where is US media? https://t.co/OFbxBbuBoZ
— #ShutItDown (@superbranch) June 30, 2015
What are your thoughts? Why do you think this story isn’t being covered by mainstream media? What do you think have happened to these churches following the Charleston shooting and Confederate flag banning?
Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
[Photo Credits: Twitter]
