Presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders drew criticism on Thursday after holding a rally about pensions just feet from a Capitol Hill prayer vigil for the Charleston shooting victims in South Carolina.  Tone deaf: Bernie Sanders holding loud pension rally yards away from #CharlestonShooting prayer circle that starts at noon  — Matt Laslo (@MattLaslo) June 18, 2015  About 30 feet away from a solemn prayer service for victims in Charleston, @SenSanders holds loud pension rally: pic.twitter.com/728G8rw3Z8  — Frank Thorp V (@frankthorpNBC) June 18, 2015  Bernie Sanders yelling at rally as members of Congress and staffers mourn #charleston pic.twitter.com/YDsV4oAu2s  — Matt Laslo (@MattLaslo) June 18, 2015  Lawmakers bow their heads in prayer for the victims of the church shooting in Charleston, SC: pic.twitter.com/hLD9UvyQWr  — Frank Thorp V (@frankthorpNBC) June 18, 2015  The appearance was a press conference in support of the Keep Our Pension Promise Act where Sen. Sanders appeared alongside Rep. Brendan Doyle (D-PA) and Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH). The chants from the rally reportedly overpowered speakers at the prayer vigil.  @ Keep our Pension Promise Act press conference with @SenSanders @Marcy_Kaptur pic.twitter.com/t3qoyKQDbs  — Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) June 18, 2015  Earlier in the day, Sanders released a statement calling the shooting "tragic" and a "hateful killing."  The Charleston church killings are a tragic reminder of the ugly stain of racism that still taints our nation. pic.twitter.com/3R4zKLqq2q  — Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) June 18, 2015  As for other 2016 candidates, Hillary Clinton had just departed from a campaign event in Charleston before the shooting occurred and later tweeted her condolences.  Heartbreaking news from Charleston - my thoughts and prayers are with you all. -H  — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) June 18, 2015  Jeb Bush canceled events scheduled to take place in Charleston on Thursday. Also canceling a scheduled South Carolina event was Republican candidate Donald Trump.  Trump cancels SC event and says something not bombastic: “This is a time for healing, not politics.” #sctweet #scpol  — James Pindell (@JamesPindell) June 18, 2015  Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Sen. Bernie Sanders spoke at a pension rally on Thursday in close proximity to vigil for Charleston victims.