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CNN NEWSROOM

9 Dead after White Gunman Opened Fire at Predominantly Black Church in S.C.; Brian Williams Reaches Agreement to Stay with NBC News; Manhunt Continues for Escaped Convicts in New York; Hong Kong Lawmakers Reject Electoral Reform Backed By Beijing; Pope Francis Expected to Challenge Skeptics of Climate Change; Rachel Dolezal Asserts She is Black. Aired 1-2a ET

Aired June 17, 2015 - 01:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


[01:00:00] NORVEL GOFF, ELDER, EMANUEL AME CHURCH: And that we would hope this person, who has committed this heinous crime, which is a hate crime, be brought to justice. We stand in solidarity but we also solicit your prayers for the family members who have lost loved ones here tonight.

Thank you so much.

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Do you have a sense how many people were in the church at the time?

GOFF: I can't answer that. The police chief --

(CROSSTALK)

GREGORY MULLEN, CHIEF, CHARLESTON POLICE DEPARTMENT: We are finished right now. We will be back in a couple of hours and notify you when we are coming back.

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Is there still a bomb threat?

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: How many people were in the church?

(CROSSTALK)

UNIDENTIFIED REPORTER: Is there anything that people in homes nearby need to know in terms of safety?

MULLEN: The bomb threat is over. That's the reason why we are here briefing you and we weren't here before.

And what we want is for people to remain calm. They can stay in their homes and avoid this area, that would be the message we'd like for them to have.

(CROSSTALK) Thank you very much.

(CROSSTALK)

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. We have been following this news conference. The mayor and police chief there in Charleston giving some information on that church shooting. We learned that nine people have died as a result of that, eight people within that church and then one at a trauma center. A number of people have been taken to a trauma center there.

We also heard from the police chief. They will announce a reward very soon in an effort to hunt down the suspect. They give that description. We have been giving you that description. They added he has sandy blond hair, 21-year-old white man. They have said he will be brought to justice.

The mayor, too, calling it a heinous crime, which indeed this is. At this point, he was saying the bomb threat is over, calling on people to remain in their homes.

ERROL BARNETT, CNN ANCHOR: So that's certainly a positive development.

We want to welcome our viewers tuned in the United States and those watching from all around the world.

One of the big headlines there from the police chief there in Charleston, Gregory Mullen is that he says, based on what they know, he does feel this was a hate crime. And the mayor following up and saying only hate could motivate someone to burst into a church during what was a regular prayer meeting and open fire. Eight people killed initially. The death toll is now nine.

We have a CNN producer on the scene, Ashley Killough, who's been there for a number of hours.

Some clarification there from local officials, Ashley. What can you tell us, what stood out to you in the press conference?

Ashley, if you can hear me, it is Errol with CNN. You are on the air. What did you make of the press conference there?

ASHLEY KILLOUGH, CNN PRODUCER: Hi. Can you hear me? Hi. Can you hear me?

BARNETT: Yes, we can hear you. You are on the air. What did you make of the information we learned?

KILLOUGH: The biggest moment of the press conference was when they confirmed they believe this is a hate crime. You heard them there saying, anytime anyone walks in to a church and starts shooting, it's a hate crime no Matter what you think. They said there were eight fatalities and one person passed away afterwards and they say there is -- there was a bomb threat that was ongoing earlier. They say that is over. They are not concerned about that anymore. The suspect is still at large. They are still looking for him.

BARNETT: We have some images coming to us now showing what I believe is Calhoun Street, the street on which the church sits where the shooting took place. There seems to be dozens of police vehicles out there. The mayor said that, "It was a heart-breaking scene I've ever witnessed in my life," when he appeared on the scene. Can you tell us, now it is past 1:00 in the morning there, how things look, how people are behaving and what's happening?

KILLOUGH: Sure, they described it -- the police chief described it as unfathomable, as insensible. And there were more people gathered here earlier. Mostly now it is the media and police officers who are on Calhoun Street.

But we did see a very powerful scene earlier when a group of local church leaders gathered in a prayer circle and were passionate and intense calling for peace, calling for everyone to sort of keep things in order but also for justice to happen.

CHURCH: Ashley, the police clearly are trying to answer some of these questions but even as they are walking away, the press trying to get more information. We saw that on the bomb threat. It wasn't until they pushed it that they confirmed that indeed there was no longer a threat with that. Explain to us what is happening there on the ground because people are desperate for more answers on this.

KILLOUGH: Right. Well, they did finally confirm that people in the area should not be worried about the bomb threat but they did urge caution because the suspect is still at large. They wouldn't give details in to the investigation itself, where they are trying to find the suspect, whether they think he's still in this area. They would not comment on the investigation in general but only sort of give details on stuff that has already happened. We are waiting to hear more about where they think the suspect might be.

[01:05:27] CHURCH: Ashley, are people still gathered there at the front of the church, or have they started to disperse now? We did hear from the police chief he wanted people to stay in their homes and to move away from that area.

KILLOUGH: Correct. They did say that. They haven't done much in terms of closing down a lot of the streets around here. They have closed down the street we are on, which is Calhoun Street, as you mentioned, where the church is. But there are still some streets open around us.

I ran in to a couple of girls who had been out at a couple of bars and they said some bars had locked their doors, said they were closing down early. There's still a little activity in terms of people walking, carrying out the rest of their night.

BARNETT: That sounds surprising to me considering that this young, early 20s suspect is still at large. The incident took place four hours ago and you told us specific streets and blocks are closed down. Do you get the sense there is a difference between where they think the suspect maybe and where everyone else is free to continue their evening?

KILLOUGH: No. Only closures we are seeing is the street we are on. And then another street that runs in to it. There maybe some more streets closed on the other side of the church but they did not say, they did not mention streets or specific areas, just the area we are in right now. They weren't specific in terms of what that perimeter is exactly.

(CROSSTALK)

KILLOUGH: I should mention there was a man who was led away in handcuffs earlier tonight. We saw that happen. It was a sort of quiet situation. He went peacefully. But the police chief did not say whether that was related to the suspect. He simply said he's not going to answer questions about the investigation.

CHURCH: Right. Ashley, too, we heard from the police chief. He said they would be announcing a reward. He didn't indicate how much that would be but a reward to try to get people to come forward with some information, which indicates to us that they don't really have much to go on here. We know he's a 21-year-old white suspect, slender, wearing gray Sweatshirt, blue jeans and Timberland boots, clean shaven and then we heard from the news conference that sandy blond hair, but that's not very much to go on at all.

KILLOUGH: Correct. They are asking the public to help find this person. It does not seem like they have a good grasp where he could be at this moment. They are supposed to address us in the next couple of hours. Again, perhaps they will have an update at that time. We will continue to try to get answers until then.

CHURCH: All right. Yes, indeed. With the suspect still at large, people want to see him brought to justice. And we heard from both the mayor and the police chief they are going to make sure that happens.

Ashley Killough, CNN producer, there in Charleston.

BARNETT: Thank you for that, Ashley.

It is unfathomable and that's the consistent reaction we are seeing from officials, from locals. They are just shocked that, at a regular prayer meeting, a shooter, for any reason, would head inside and result with eight fatalities. The death toll is now up to nine.

A Charleston clergy member spoke out after the shooting. Of course, appalled by what's taken place. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED EMANUEL AME CHURCH CLERGY MEMBER: What we hear now, there was a Caucasian, white man walk no an African-American church and open prayer while people were praying, having bible study. That is unacceptable. We have been praying a long time, been on our knees for a long time but it is time to stand up.

(END VIDEO CLIP) CHURCH: Earlier, we heard from Charleston's mayor regarding the fatal shooting at that church. I want to listen to a portion of what he told the media.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JOSEPH P. RILEY JR, MAYOR OF CHARLESTON: The only reason someone can walk in to church and shoot people praying is out of hate. The only reason. It is the most dastardly act that one can possibly imagine. We will bring that person to justice as soon as possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: Earlier, we were telling you that Jeb Bush, of course, has recently announced that he would run for president. He has cancelled his event in Charleston. That was set to be held on Thursday. Of course, it is 1:09 here. Just after 1:00 in the morning here. This is what he had to say, "Thoughts and prayers are with the individuals and families affected by this tragedy."

[01:10:10] BARNETT: It truly has been shocking.

If you are just joining us on CNN, give you a recap on what unfolded in Charleston, South Carolina. Just in the past few hours, there are reports of a shooting at roughly past 9:00 p.m. U.S. eastern time. Police got the call. They headed out to the church. And the scene -- on the scene, there were a number of victims and fatalities already. Some were transported to local hospitals. The number of people killed from this incident is now up to nine.

Officials do have a description of the suspect. He's said to be in his early 20s, sandy blond hair, small slender frame, wearing a gray Sweatshirt, blue jeans and Timberland boots. But at this hour, which has the community on edge, the fact of the matter is that suspect is still at large.

CHURCH: South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley released a statement on her Facebook and it says this: "Michael, Rena, Nalin and I are praying for the victims and families touched by tonight's senseless tragedy at Emanuel AME Church. While we do not know the details, we do know we will never understand what motivates anyone to enter one of our places of worship and take the life of another. Please join us in lifting up the victims and their families with our love and our prayers."

BARNETT: We will continue to connect with our producer on the ground, get local reaction. And of course, when there's new information on this breaking story, we will bring it to you.

At this moment, we want to turn to another breaking situation. For months, Brian Williams' future has been in question. Now there's -- Williams has come to an agreement with the network to stay on after his suspension in August. In February, Williams admitted he incorrectly claimed to be on board a suspect that was shot down in Iraq.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) BRIAN WILLIAMS, FORMER NBC NEWS ANCHOR: -- and because this is graduation night --

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BARNETT: CNN media correspondent, Brian Stelter, is joining us from New York to talk about this.

Brian, we have wondered if Brian Williams would return to the "NBC Nightly News" chair, and now it seems your sources are confirming that's the case, he won't be back on his show.

BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT & CNN HOST, RELIABLE SOURCES: That's right. He will not come back to "NBC Nightly News" but he will stay at NBC. This is a surprise to a lot of people. If you think back to February, when this scandal erupted -- and it was a big scandal at the time -- a lot of media pundits guessed he would you never come back to NBC at all. They guessed he would have to leave the network all together.

But in the past few days, Williams' attorney and NBC executives have been able to strike a deal where he will stay at NBC but, as you said, not as the "NBC Nightly News" anchor. That means Lester Holt will be taking over the "Nightly News" permanently.

And I will tell you why it is a big deal. I don't want to get this overshadowed. Lester Holt has been waiting for this job a long time. He has earned this job filling in for Williams for a decade. He will be the first solo weekday news anchor in the United States. There have been African-Americans in the past on weekends shift in co- anchoring jobs, but it's a historical moment. Now Lester Holt, the first solo weekend anchor who is black on a major nightly newscast, it's a sign of progress on a network format that is used to white men.

BARNETT: Right. Really, you have two major bits of information that we are digesting here. We will get back to Lester Holt in a moment. But Brian Williams the network had options to consider. Keeping him on but not putting him on "Nightly News" avoids the worse-case scenario where he would be fired and banished from the network where he became a star. But now the network needs to strike the right balance in whatever his next role will be. He did show an interest in wanting to host programs. Might it be a step away from journalism? What do we think on that?

STELTER: There was speculation that maybe him going off and doing a talk show. He was a fun star of late-night shows with Jimmy Fallon and "Saturday Night Live," when he would make guest appearance. But he is apparently sticking with the news side of things. There's reports he will take a role on MSNBC, which is NBC's cable news channel, which competes with CNN in the United States. He could be a breaking news anchor on big news days on MSNBC.

That will feel like a step down but, often times, when we see people do second acts will, whether in politics or celebrity or somewhere else in the culture, we see them take a step down but not out. A step down, but a way to regain credibility, regain trust, certainly for a news anchor. That's Brian Williams challenge now. Generally, we see a forgiving culture. I look on Facebook and Twitter and I see people want Brian Williams back on television in some way.

BARNETT: Especially as more time moves on.

STELTER: Right.

BARNETT: And quickly, on Lester Holt, when might we get confirmation he is in fact the new host.

[01:15:05] STELTER: He happens to be on vacation this week. Maybe NBC wants to make the announcement while he is on vacation so he doesn't have to report the news himself. You can imagine that might be an awkward situation. It is unclear if they will confirm the news on Thursday. So far, NBC is not commenting.

BARNETT: Brian Stelter, covering it all for us and getting us these scoops, our senior media correspondent. Thank you so much for your time today from New York.

STELTER: Thanks.

BARNETT: "Variety" magazine chief TV critic, Brian Lowry, is joining us from Los Angeles to talk about this.

It is the major headline in the broadcast industry at the moment. Now that it seems as if Brian Williams is out of the "Nightly News" anchor chair, but will stay with the NBC family, do you think this plan puts him on the path to redemption? Because you do still have viewers who don't trust him.

BRIAN LOWRY, CHIEF TV CRITIC, VARIETY MAGAZINE: I think they really took months to get to where I think people thought they would end up from the beginning which he had damaged his credibility to the point where having him as the main face of NBC News was problematic. But having him as a component of NBC News, and taking advantage of all of the network had invested in Brian Williams seemed to make sense. I think that's what they settled on.

BARNETT: What do you make of the plan? These are early indications. NBC is likely to make an official announcement soon. We're not sure. It seems as though he will work with MSNBC, the 24-hour news network that was lagging in the ratings in the U.S. Do you think he would be the kind of draw that network needs? What do you make of that plan?

LOWRY: Well, it certainly doesn't hurt. You take, you know, your multimillion-dollar anchor who's drawn large audiences on the flagship NBC network and move him to a cable network that's been struggling and hope it injects life in to it. It is one of those situations where even if it doesn't work out, at least you have taken the stab and tried to get some value out of Brian Williams which he would not have if you simply severed ties with him. One of the reasons Brian Williams got in to this situation in the first place is he is a charming guy who can be off the cuff and go on a talk show and do sort of a funny play along interview. It would seem like using him in some respects on lighter stories, not only on MSNBC but potentially on the network, as well, in the context of "The Today Show" or as a contributor to the news magazines, would make some sense. I think the role is still being worked out. If they just park him at MSNBC, I think that would be potentially under utilizing him.

BARNETT: Based on what we know and what we think will happen, what do you make overall of this decision? Is it what you would have done?

LOWRY: I think I wouldn't have fired him. I wouldn't have severed ties with him completely. I don't think you could have brought him back as the anchor for the "NBC Nightly News" simply because of the way this was all botched in the early going. His sort of fumbled apology, which wasn't obviously a complete vetting of what had gone on. We have had other anchor crises and other anchor flare-ups. We have had George Stephanopoulos and his donations and Bill O'Reilly and his tall tales that he never owned up to. There are other stories like this. But I think there's a difference between being the face of NBC News and occupying that chair when the baggage dragging around behind you.

BARNETT: Certainly see how he does.

Brian Lowry, the chief TV critic for "Variety" magazine, thank you for your time and insight tonight from L.A.

LOWRY: Thank you.

CHURCH: We're going to take a short break right now. But we will have more on the breaking news we are following out of Charleston, the church shooting. Nine people have died as a result of that and police are trying to find a suspect. More when we come back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[01:23:05] BARNETT: Thank you for joining us here on CNN. We are following breaking news out of Charleston, South Carolina.

CHURCH: Police say nine people are dead after a gunman opened fire at a predominantly black church. One other person was injured and is in the hospital. Officials have not yet released the names of the victims. Police Chief Greg Mullen said he believes this was a hate crime. Authorities are searching for a white man in his 20s. The incident happened just a few hours ago. The Emanuel African-American Episcopal Church is said to be the oldest AME Church in the southern United States.

BARNETT: A short while ago, at the top of the hour, in fact, we heard from Charleston's police chief and mayor about the fatal church shooting. Listen to this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MULLEN: This is a tragedy that no community should have to experience. It is senseless. It is unfathomable that somebody in today's society would walk in to a church when people are having a prayer meeting and take their lives. I can assure you that we are going to do everything in our power to find this individual, to lock him up and to make sure he does not hurt anyone else.

RILEY: This is the most unspeakable and heart-breaking tragedy in the historic Emanuel AME Church, the church of the AME Churches. People in prayer on a Wednesday evening, a ritual, coming together, praying and worshipping God. You have an awful person come in and shoot them is inexplicable. Obviously, the most intolerable and unbelievable act possible.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

01:25:09] CHURCH: People are just in total shock. It's hard to fathom. Indeed, the officials put it right, it is heinous and hard to fathom that anyone would do such a thing.

BARNETT: It's understandable that that's the reaction considering these folks were part of a regular prayer meeting when the shooter went to the church. And even moments after the horrific act took place. We have that footage of prayer circles emerging as the community tries to stay together and pray in what is unbelievable. Both officials alluding to that.

We will have more on the story throughout the night.

CHURCH: We certain shall. We'll come back to it.

But we want to move on and turn to upstate New York for the latest on the manhunt of those two escaped killers. Investigators have subpoenaed prison worker Joyce Mitchell's cell phone records, but at this point, they don't believe fugitives Richard Matt or David Sweat used her cell phone inside the prison.

BARNETT: We have also learned the sp-called Honor Block where the two escapees lived in the prison has been shut down and will be turned in to a regular cell block. It housed inmates who had gone years without with significant disciplinary action.

CHURCH: And all of this as officials admit that Richard Matt and David Sweat could be anywhere right now after more than a dozen days on the run. Police say they have more than 1400 leads, 1400, and are shifting the search area for the fugitives across the border.

Jason Carroll has more details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Wanted posters of the two escaped killers are now handed out along the Canadian and Mexican borders. This, as the search is expanding and shifting to other areas surrounding the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora.

Officials admitting today the hunt for Richard Matt and David Sweat, at least at this point, is not promising.

CAPT. ROBERT LAFOUNTAIN, NEW YORK STATE POLICE: I can tell you right now, as well, that we have no information that they have been able to leave the area. That being said, it doesn't mean they haven't been able to escape this area, but we have no information.

CARROLL: But there's new information about the woman who allegedly helped them escape, Joyce Mitchell. The 51-year-old prison employee warned her husband, Lyle, also a prison employee, that the two inmates planned to kill him.

UNIDENTIFIED ATTORNEY: I've gone over the charges --

CARROLL: Joyce Mitchell's attorney telling me his client knew of the plot but was not part of it herself, saying, quote, "Just because she heard something doesn't mean she was going to act on it."

While Lyle knew about the plot to kill him, his lawyer said he was unaware his wife was having sexual relationships with at least one of the inmates. A source tells CNN that Mitchell had sex with Matt in the same tailor shop where Mitchell and her husband worked.

The Clinton County sheriff talked about her demeanor now that she is behind bars.

DAVID FAVRO, SHERIFF, CLINTON COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT: I think it is a little early for that. There's a lot going on around her, as you can see with the media attention, and I think she is consuming and absorbing that to express too many feelings.

CARROLL: Mitchell's attorney said he has only had one opportunity to speak to his client face to face since her arrest, and that was Monday, the day of her court appearance.

As for her husband, there have been questions about whether he knew about the escape plan.

ANDREW WYLIE, CLINTON COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY: As of today, we had no information that he had prior knowledge of the escape or that he participated or actively assisted in the escape of the two inmates.

CARROLL: Those two inmates still very much on the run. Every lead being followed. Searchers waiting for the one that leads to them.

Jason Carroll, CNN, Dannemora, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

BARNETT: Keep in mind, for the latest developments in to this ongoing manhunt for the two convicted killers, at anytime you can head to CNN.com.

In the U.S. city of Chicago, two passenger planes were on a potential collision course before flight controllers jumped in at the last moment.

CHURCH: Very unnerving. It happened at Chicago's Midway Airport. Southwest flight 3828 and Delta flight 1328 -- similar sounding numbers -- were waiting to take off on intersecting runways. Air traffic controllers cleared the Southwest flight for takeoff but the Delta pilots thought they had been cleared. Here's what happened next.

(BEGIN AUDIO FEED)

TOWER: Stop, stop.

DELTA PILOT: Delta 1328 aborting.

PILOT: He's stopping.

SOUTHWEST PILOT: This is Southwest on 31. Were we the ones cleared for takeoff?

TOWER: Yes, sir, you were doing what you were supposed to be doing.

SOUTHWEST PILOT: Delta was rolling also?

TOWER: Yep, he took your call sign. Somebody kept stepping on you. I couldn't figure out who it was. That's why I reiterated that it was you that I was clearing for takeoff.

(END AUDIO FEED)

[01:30:00] BARNETT: Each aircraft stopped 2,000 feet from the runway intersection. Delta said it is cooperating with the FAA's investigation. Close call there but, thankfully, everyone fine in that incident.

We are still covering the breaking news out of Charleston, South Carolina. We can show you if it is still up some live images. 1:30 a.m. in the morning after what was a horrific incident, the community coming together and holding a prayer circle after officials confirmed nine people killed in this church shooting with the suspect still on the loose.

Stay with us here on CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. We are following a deadly mass shooting at a church in Charleston, South Carolina, where there has been a deadly mass shooting at a church.

BARNETT: Here's the details and the newest information we have for you right now. Nine people are dead at a historic African-American Church the city of Charleston. Federal and local officers are fanning out across the city searching for the white male suspect who is believed to be behind this incident. The mayor and police chief both say they believe this was a hate crime.

CHURCH: Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is said to be the oldest black church of its kind in the southern United States. During the times of slavery in the U.S., it was an important point on the so- called Underground Railroad, helping slaves find their way to freedom. It's located in downtown Charleston, where thousands of tourists visit during this time of the year.

BARNETT: We will continue to follow that breaking story throughout the night.

We want to turn to another breaking development taking place right now. This one out of Hong Kong. Lawmakers there have rejected electoral reform backed by Beijing.

[01:35:09] CHURCH: It is a victory for pro democracy supporters. If the measure passed, it would have let people cast votes for Hong Kong's next leader in 2017, but only if China approved the candidates first.

BARNETT: Let's turn to our senior international correspondent, Ivan Watson, for more on this.

There was fear ahead of this vote it wouldn't have enough of a majority, two-thirds majority to pass. It did fail in the end. Why?

IVAN WATSON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It needed a two- thirds majority to support it. There's roughly some 27, 28 members of the legislative body, comprised of 70 people, who all announced they would oppose it.

The second-highest official here in the administration in Hong Kong, in her comments moments before the vote took place, which was less than an hour ago, she predicted that all the hard work she put in to this would be in vain.

Listen to what Carrie Lam had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

CARRIE LAM, HONG KONG LEGISLATOR: At the moment, the reform proposal will be voted down. I said I'm disappointed. I don't know when democratization can be taken forward.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WATSON: There was drama in the assembly room as the votes were cast. After the head of the council announced the vote would be underway, seconds later, a large chunk of the lawmakers staged a walk out. They were, for the most, part from the pro Beijing, pro government faction that was supporting the bill, Errol. Out of 70 voters, there were only 37, just half of the people in the council. Eight voted down the election proposal -- I'm sorry, 28 voted down the election proposal and eight voted in favor of this. From the camp that supported the motion, there was some long faces, some glum faces. From those who voted it down, there were moments of celebration. One lawmaker holding up a yellow umbrella out here in the hallway that's a symbol of the Umbrella Revolution, the so-called Umbrella Revolution from last autumn.

What does this say? Well, the proposed system for electing Hong Kong's top executive in 2017, that has just been thrown out the window. This is also a slap in the face of the ruling Communist Party, the central government in Beijing. Basically, Hong Kong, a former British colony, has once again said no to Beijing's plans for this port city, this island city. It is a setback, again, for the central government, which really isn't accustomed to citizens of China saying no to it and getting away with it -- Errol?

BARNETT: So if it is a setback for the status quo and the local government and Beijing, certainly this is a bit of a success story for those young people who turned out and clogged the streets as part of the Umbrella Movement for the young teenager who for sometime put himself through a hunger strike, all so they could vote without Beijing's interference. So for those local politicians who voted this down, those demonstrations and that resistance to China's influence must have been what was in their minds.

WATSON: Absolutely. Some of these lawmakers -- one woman who I interviewed, she had homemade earrings made out of umbrellas, out of that same symbol that emerged on the streets last autumn. So some of these lawmakers were shouting victory as they came out of the council chambers.

It's important to note that Hong Kong society, according to polls, is quite split on this issue. In fact, in a whole succession of surveys there were a few more percentage points of those surveyed supporting this law than those opposing it. That's an important point to keep in mind, that you do have polarization in society, that a significant portion of Hong Kong society was supporting the proposal that the Hong Kong administrators had put forward that were endorsed by the central government in Beijing. You also had roughly 40 percent of those surveyed who opposed this. And I think everybody agreed that there's still a big challenge, how do you get Hong Kong society to unite? One of the supporters of this bill, which just failed, said, I don't predict this will be good for governance of the city in the years ahead. That's saying something because I think Hong Kong prides itself on its efficiency -- Errol?

[01:40:21] CHURCH: Ivan Watson, live for us in Hong Kong on a successful day for those there that want less interference from Beijing. Appreciate the live update. Thank you.

We are still following the breaking news out of Charleston, South Carolina. A church shooting in which nine people are dead. The suspect still on the loose. We will have more here on CNN for you after this short break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BARNETT: Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. We follow breaking news out of Charleston, South Carolina, at this hour.

CHURCH: Police say nine people are dead after a gunman opened fire at a predominantly black church. One other person was injured and is in the hospital. Officials have not released the names of the victims.

BARNETT: Within the past hour, Police Chief Greg Mullen said he believes this was a hate crime. Authorities are searching for a white man in his early 20s. The incident happened a few hours ago.

The Emanuel African-American Methodist Episcopal Church is said to be the oldest AME Church in the southern U.S.

CHURCH: We heard from Emanuel AME Church Elder Dr. Norvel Goff a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. NORVEL GOFF, EMANUEL AME CHURCH ELDER: We want the community to pray for our people and we hope this person that committed this heinous crime, which is a hate crime, be brought to justice. We stand in solidarity and solicit your prayers for family members who lost loved ones here tonight.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

[01:45:00] BARNETT: We are also seeing reaction to this online. Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton was actually in Charleston earlier on Wednesday. She sent out a tweet reaction to the deadly church shooting. It reads here, quote, "Heart-breaking news from China. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."

CHURCH: We will, of course, continue to follow this story. Bring you the latest as it comes in to us.

For now, we just move on to another big story we are following.

Pope Francis is taking on climate change. In a matter of hours, in fact, the pontiff will release a long-awaited and highly controversial public letter called an encyclical.

BARNETT: In this document, the pope is expected to challenge skeptics who don't believe in manmade global warming. During his weekly audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, the pope said, "Our planet is being ruined and it's everyone's duty to protect the place we all call home."

Joining me to talk about this is Robert Orr, a special adviser to the U.N. Secretary-General on Climate Change and dean of the University of Maryland. Joins us from New York.

Thank you very much for your time.

Pope Francis expected to make climate change essentially the main point of his encyclical and he's expected to say this is a moral issue for the world's Catholics. How significant would that be for the pope to say?

ROBERT ORR, SPECIAL ADVISOR TO THE U.N. SECRETARY-GENERAL ON CLIMATE CHANGE & DEAN, UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND: This is extremely significant. Just the fact the pope is issuing an encyclical on this raises the stakes tremendously. The fact that climate change is a moral issue, many have said and many know. But when the pope comes out in a formal sense through an encyclical and says this is not just a moral issue, this is a religious and spiritual issue, as well, that really changes the game.

BARNETT: What do you think of the motivations for this? Pope Francis paints himself as a man who represents the poor, the less fortunate in the world. Might that explain his stance on climate change since it's likely to impact the poorest people on the planet the most? ORR: In fact, I think that's the genesis of his deep concern for

climate change and for the environment. It stems from his deep love of the poor. This is the people's pope. He's spent years, decades working with the poor and for the poor. The poor are most heavily impacted by climate change. So the fact that he links the two is not news, but the fact that he has focused his first encyclical on the relationship of the poor and the climate is, in fact, quite significant.

BARNETT: I wonder if there may be some kind of form of a backlash. The pope can say whatever he wants in this encyclical but there is a risk somewhat to such a bold statement on what, in some places in the world, remains a controversial topic. Don't you think?

ORR: I think it is best to see this as what it is. This is a religious document issued bay religious leader. This is not a political document. Obviously, what the document represents to the Catholics of the world as the guidance from the pope, but this pope has immense credible around the world with many faith communities. I think the fact he's putting this at the top of the agenda is important. I don't think the backlash issue is really significant in that this is a man who walks the walk. He's been with the poor for decades, and when he rightfully says that climate change is -- disproportionately impacts the poor, he has the credibility to say that.

BARNETT: We know when this pope, in particular, speaks, people do listen. An important message. We will wait to see exactly what it is.

Robert Orr, thank you for your time joining us from New York.

ORR: Thank you very much.

CHURCH: We are going to take a very short break here. When we come back, we will have more on our breaking news out of Charleston, South Carolina, where authorities have confirmed nine people have died in a church shooting. And they are calling this a hate crime. More when we come back.

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[01:53:20] BARNETT: Welcome back. If you are just joining us, we are following breaking news out of Charleston, South Carolina, this hour.

CHURCH: Police say nine people are dead after a white gunman opened fire in a predominantly black church. This happened a few hours ago. One other person was injured and is in the hospital. Officials have not yet released the names of the victims. Police Chief Greg Mullen says he believes this was a hate crime.

BARNETT: Authorities are searching for a white, small, slender man in his early 20s with sandy blond hair. The Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church is said to be the oldest AME Church in the southern U.S. This is story is touching into the world of politics as well.

Republican presidential candidate, Jeb Bush, cancelled scheduled town hall in Charleston on Thursday due to this church shooting.

CHURCH: We will, of course, continue to follow that breaking news story and bring you details as they come in to us.

But I want to touch on the other story we have been following. New trouble for Rachel Dolezal as she asserts she's a black woman.

Dolezal has been asked to step down immediately from a civilian police oversight commission she serves on.

BARNETT: This comes after the release of a report which concluded that she and two other members acted improperly during encounters with law enforcement.

As for insisting she is black, well, listen to what Dolezal told NBC's Savannah Guthrie when asked if she has ever lied about her race.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

RACHEL DOLEZAL, FORMER NAACP OFFICIAL: No. Never have I been asked are you human or not human.

SAVANNAH GUTHRIE, CO-HOST, THE TODAY SHOW: Yeah.

DOLEZAL: Race in a construct as a fluid understanding, so I would say no.

[01:55:06] GUTHRIE: You know when someone asks you, are you black? Are you African-American? You know exactly what they are asking you. For you to say yes, is that an honest answer?

DOLEZAL: When someone asks, are you black, which I don't get asked very often, until recently, until a few days ago, then I say, yeah. I do -- yeah, I am black.

GUTHRIE: Do you understand why many people would think, given your parents and your heritage, that is, at best, a misleading answer?

DOLEZAL: I can understand that. But again, up to this point, I know who raised me. I haven't had a DNA test. There's been no biological proof that they are my biological parents.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: When Savannah Guthrie pointed out that her parents' names are on her Montana birth certificate, Ms. Dolezal questioned the veracity of it saying there were no medical witnesses to that birth.

BARNETT: Interesting story there.

Thank you for joining us for this hour of CNN NEWSROOM. I'm Errol Barnett. CHURCH: I'm Rosemary Church. More on the breaking news out of South

Carolina after this short break. Nine people killed while praying at a church in Charleston.

You are watching CNN.

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