Pastors: Rev. Al Sharpton to attend Walter Scott's funeral, Sunday service

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) -- An early morning meeting of pastors for a group of North Charleston churches laid the groundwork for Rev. Al Sharpton to make an appearance in the Lowcountry this weekend as memorials are held for the man shot and killed by a police officer.

Officials said Sharpton will attend a service at Charity Church at 11 a.m. Sunday. He wanted to attend Saturday's funeral for Walter Scott, but has other obligations outside the state.

Rev. Rivers, one of the organizers of the event, cleared up reports that Walter Scott's family had asked Sharpton not to come to Charleston. Rivers said the family never made that request, and in fact welcome him and have invited him to Scott's funeral Saturday.

Rivers said Sharpton has talked with the family and they have developed a strong relationship over the past several days.

The Scott family will be in attendance at at a Sunday afternoon prayer vigil and memorial at the scene of the shooting. That vigil is set for 3 p.m., officials said.

There has also been a peace march organized by Stand Against Violence Everywhere - North Charleston for Saturday afternoon once the funeral has ended. Organizers say it will begin at 4:30 p.m. at Rivers Avenue and Mall Drive in North Charleston and progress to City Hall.

Meanwhile, Rivers said members of area churches are going to be working with the North Charleston Police Department to talk about issues in racial profiling.

It's a conversation that dates back several years.

In 2011, the NAACP levied claims of racial profiling against the department during a forum attended by then-chief Jon Zumalt. At the time, Zumalt denied officers targeted minorities in the community, but said he wants a heavy officer presence in areas with the highest crime.

On Thursday, Charleston County Sheriff Al Cannon echoed those statements, adding often they find the concentration of crime highest in minority neighborhoods.

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Pastors: Rev. Al Sharpton to attend Walter Scott's funeral, Sunday service

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