The pastor at Emantic “E.J.” Bradford Jr.’s church, who will officiate his funeral services on Saturday, joined a pastor in Hoover and Hoover’s lone black city councilman in calling for unity, as well as love to triumph over hate in the aftermath of the Riverchase Galleria shooting.
On Thursday, Mike McClure, Jr., the pastor of The Rock City Church in Birmingham that Bradford attended, and Buddy Gray, the pastor of Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover, spoke at the same press conference in which city officials asked ALEA to release information and video footage of the shooting.
One of these city officials was Councilman Derrick Murphy, who “also issued a call for peace and an end to racist and hateful speech that has taken place since the shooting,” as reported by the Hoover Sun.
“I can tell you that hate has no place in our city, during the protests from protesters, from counter protesters or on social media. I can also tell you that two wrongs don’t make a right,” Murphy said.
“Regardless of what happened during the protest, some of the members of our community and outside of our community took to social media after the protests and said some hateful, racist things that have no place in the city of Hoover,” he added. “We do not support those ideas. We do not condone those ideas, and those ideas will not help us heal from the tragedies of the past.”
For Murphy, there is opportunity that comes out of tragedy, too.
“We have to decide whether we are going to unify or divide, whether we are going to choose the side of love,” Murphy outlined. “For me, I choose love because hate is too big of a burden to carry.”
McClure, who has also described himself as the Bradford family pastor, will officiate the 21-year-old’s funeral on Saturday, which will include a eulogy by Jesse Jackson.
McClure, on Thursday, said the tragedy at the Riverchase Galleria opened a wound that no one imagined.
But through transparency, clarity and honesty, the scar can heal, according to McClure.
“On the night before Jesus died, he prayed a prayer. He didn’t pray for success. He didn’t pray that we would live lavish lifestyles,” McClure emphasized. “He prayed a prayer that simply said, ‘I pray that you will be one.’ He prayed the night before he died for unity.”
McClure prayed for unity not just in Hoover, but between Hoover and Birmingham.
“I pray, God, that it won’t be a black-white thing, but a wrong versus right thing,” he added. “I pray, God, in the middle of this you will cause peace into our city. I pray right now, God, from the bottom of my heart, that we will begin to see each other not by the color of our skin but by the content of our character.”
While this incident has brought out the ugliness of some people, McClure advised that not all people are filled with hatred.
“I pray for the courage for those who are filled with love and compassion to let their voices be heard,” McClure remarked. “What we need right now is for all those who have a heart for justice and heart for people to rise together regardless of race, denomination or personal agendas and lift up the name of God.”
Gray, who has been the pastor of Hunter Street Baptist Church in Hoover for over 32 years, also shared his thoughts, praying for an end to all violence, “whether it’s in the shopping mall, on our streets or in our homes.”
“How long before there’s no more strife among people, no more assaults or abuse of power?” Gray asked.
“We pray for healing and hope and help for all those impacted by the shooting at the mall, especially the Bradford family. You’re the Lord of all comfort. Comfort them,” he prayed.
“How long before the day when all racism and prejudice and tribalism will be eradicated and will be replaced with love and honor and justice and the richest community imaginable — your community,” Gray added. “How long, oh Lord, when there will be no more arguing between friends, no more pettiness between people, no more divisiveness between races … We pray for the day when rancor will give way to righteousness and meanness will be overturned by kindness and domineering will be replaced with serving. We yearn for the day when peace will be our governor and well-being will be our ruler.”
Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
