Title: Justice Must Be Served for the Unjustifiable Murder of Cyrus Carmack-Belton On May 30, 2023, a tragedy occurred in Columbia, S.C. that has left a community grieving the loss of a 14-year-old boy, Cyrus Carmack-Belton. The incident that led to his untimely death is an egregious example of the systemic and pervasive racism that still plagues our nation. Rick Chow, the owner of a convenience store, wrongly accused Cyrus of stealing four water bottles before chasing him out of the store and fatally shooting him in the back. The senseless murder of this young Black boy is a tragedy that cannot be ignored. It is time for accountability and justice to be served. Our country is at a pivotal moment where we must confront the ugly truths of our past and present and work towards a better future for all. The murder of Cyrus is a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done. We, as a society, must condemn these types of acts of violence and demand change from our leaders and institutions. Racism and bigotry have no place in our communities and must be confronted head-on. The family and friends of Cyrus Carmack-Belton, as well as the larger community, deserve answers and justice for such a heinous and unjust act. We must stand together and demand accountability from those responsible for perpetuating hate, bigotry, and violence. There can be no peace without justice. It is time for us to come together and demand an end to the systemic racism that still plagues our society. The memory of Cyrus Carmack-Belton must never be forgotten, and we must work tirelessly to ensure that this kind of tragedy never happens again. Rick Chow, who believed Cyrus Carmack-Belton had stolen four water bottles, chased him out of his convenience store in Columbia, S.C., and fatally shot the boy in the back, the authorities said.
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