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Announcements
Buffalo, NY & Uvalde, TX - Devastating Mass Violence and Loss
Buffalo, NY - On Saturday (May 14, 2022), an 18 year old white male, motivated by "white supremacist" beliefs killed 10 people and wounded 3 others in a mass shooting at a grocery store in East Buffalo, NY. The neighborhood was targeted because it has a significant African American population and the store served as a focal point for the attack. Over months of preparation, he had written a long personal manifesto expressing ardently held white supremacist beliefs. He obtained weapons, ammunition and body armor. He developed the capacity to live stream the attack as he carried it out. On the day of the attack, he drove 200+ miles to a specific store for a specific purpose. This was a hate-driven act of domestic terrorism. Our heart breaks for the families of these 13 people.
Uvalde, TX - On Tuesday (May 25, 2022) a lonely and misled 18 year old male, armed with a legally-purchased rifle and body armor, entered Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX and opened fire in a classroom killing 19 children and 2 adults, and wounding many others. In addition to having been bullied over a childhood speech impediment, he came from a troubled home life and lashed out violently against peers and strangers in recent years. Prior to the shooting at Robb Elementary, he shot and critically wounded his grandmother at home. Police intervened in the shooting, and the he was fatally shot on site. We express great empathy for the families of the students and teachers that we lost.
These were deliberate, well-planned, and horrific acts of violence. We stand in solidarity with these communities against hate in all forms. We call on community leaders and legislators to take action in advocating for laws and policies that improve gun control, access to mental health services, and anti-bullying and anti-violence interventions. In the face of such tragedies and immense human loss we offer our thoughts, prayers and deep condolences to the victims, their families, and their communities.
