May 11, 2023
Reflection, Healing, and Hope on 5/14
One year ago, Buffalo’s East Side neighborhood became the target of a racially motivated mass shooting at Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue. Lives were taken and changed forever.
On May 14, 2022, our Western New York Community suffered a deep tragedy: Buffalo’s East Side became the target of a racially motivated mass shooting at Tops Market on Jefferson Avenue, taking the lives of 10 people and injuring three others.
Our community is still in mourning; lives have been altered forever. Even though the Tops Friendly Market, the target of the attack, is open, and a year has passed, lives have forever been changed.
We honor the ten people whose lives were taken senselessly: Roberta A. Drury, Margus D. Morrison, Andre Mackneil, Aaron Salter, Geraldine Talley, Celestine Chaney, Heyward Patterson, Katherine Massey, Pearl Young, and Ruth Whitfield.
Systemic racism continues to affect our city, and nation, and we must stay united. We ALL must stand up in solidarity against hate and continue raising our own awareness and educating others on the need for justice.
As we approach the one year anniversary of the hate-fueled attack that stunned our city, the City of Buffalo is hosting the “5/14 Remembrance Weekend: Reflection, Healing, and Hope” and will include the following:
Friday, May 12th:
– Beyond Hate: A Panel Discussion led by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi located at the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center from 9 AM to 12 PM.
– Educational Day of Healing and Restoration, virtual event to be streamed on YouTube (click here). This event will host a healing circle, book readings, poetry/spoken word, dance, music, and reflective discussion from K-12 students.
Saturday, May 13th:
– Community Gathering for Reflection, Healing and Hope. This gathering will start at 12 PM until 4 PM and will be held at the Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion at 1100 Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo.
Sunday, May 14th:
– Moment of Remembrance, led by Mayor Byron Brown at the Tops Friendly Market at 1275 Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo from 2 PM to 2:30 PM.
– Memorial Church Service for Healing and Hope, service led by Reverend Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. This will take place at 6 PM at the Elim Christion Fellowship at 70 Chalmers Avenue in Buffalo.
The Weekend of Remembrance is filled with “events designed to help promote learning, community, and remembrance of those that were lost.”
None of us will ever forget what occurred, and our hearts may need much time to heal, but let us keep pushing forward towards our vision of a community where ALL people lead fulfilling lives.