As scores of people crowded Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church on Sunday morning in Charleston, South Carolina, to mourn the nine people killed in a shooting there just days before, a Confederate monument in town was discovered vandalized.

Sunday am before the Confederate Defenders of Charleston memorial was covered up #CNN #CharlestonShooting pic.twitter.com/obGUhDK7cB

— Lauren Selsky (@LJSelsky) June 21, 2015

The base of the statue dedicated to "the Confederate defenders of Charleston - Fort Sumter" was covered with red spray-painted graffiti, declaring "Black Lives Matter" and "This is the problem #racist."

At the Confederate Defenders of #Charleston Memorial pic.twitter.com/WQKbQlgIGv

— Lauren Selsky (@LJSelsky) June 21, 2015

Mayor Joe Riley and Governor Nikki Haley were called out as well: "Riley and Haley — Why defend this evil — This the root of our evil."

More from the Confederate Defenders of Charleston Memorial near Oyster Point. #CNN pic.twitter.com/RFQuQ98bB3

— Lauren Selsky (@LJSelsky) June 21, 2015

The base was soon covered with blue tarp, but then passers-by uncovered it, WCIV-TV reported.

A debate then ensued featuring Barry Tighe of left-wing Code Pink who made a sign that read "Take down racist statues." But a counter-protester raised a sign that declared "All lives matter #CharlestonUnited," the station said.

The monument was placed in its spot by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, WCIV said.

(H/T: Weasel Zippers)

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