Hi–

Almost ten years ago, my life changed when a white supremacist entered my church in Charleston, South Carolina, and shot and killed 9 people, including my mother and two of my cousins.

My mother and the others who were murdered were people of deep faith, with a profound love of Emanuel AME Church. It's hard to describe the pain this racist massacre caused our community on every level.

My family was torn apart by the strain of losing my mother. I was forced to resign from my dream job. I sought professional, emotional, and spiritual support—which continues to help me through grief.

Yet in the wake of the shooting, the FBI's investigation was instrumental in helping our community heal and get accountability for this tragedy.

The FBI's mission is to protect the public from violent crime, including gun violence and armed extremism. I'm worried that Donald Trump's nominee for FBI Director, Kash Patel, would further enable the kind of violence that we saw at Emanuel AME Church.

Join me in urging the Senate to reject Kash Patel's nomination.

I know first-hand that the FBI needs a leader who prioritizes public safety and denounces violent extremism.

Kash Patel is an inexperienced nominee who is backed by gun extremist groups—and he shouldn't lead the FBI. Send a message to tell your senators to reject Patel's nomination.

I have two young Black grandchildren. I want them to have the opportunity to be the best they can be—to thrive in this society without any barriers. But that can't happen unless we have leaders who stand up against deadly hate and work to keep our communities safe.

Thank you for taking action.

Reverend Sharon Risher