Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The 5/14 Memorial Commission is set to begin a public engagement campaign seeking the input of the Buffalo community on the future site and design of a permanent memorial to honor the 10 lives lost in the racially motivated mass shooting one year ago Sunday.
"I realize it is something that I cannot do on my own, nor will I do it on my own," said Rev. Mark Blue on Tuesday, as he serves as the Chair for the 5/14 Memorial Commission. "We have decided we need community input in everything that we do. So we will have community forums, in which individuals will have an opportunity to participate. We also have a website that we're launching today, 514memorial.com, where you can get other access to information as to what is going on with our committee."
The Commission will hold its first public meeting on June 13, 2023 at the Stanley Makowski Early Childhood Center from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET. The Commission is also working with the University at Buffalo Regional Institute to develop a community survey where members of the community that are unable to attend public meetings can submit comments and also stay up-to-date on the workings of the Commission.
"We only have one time to get this right, and we cannot do a do over. We need the input of the community, because this is something that happened to our city, and all of us are affected by this in one way or another," Rev. Blue said. "We do need your input, we need your support in this. When we do have our community meetings, please come out and share with us your concerns, your ideas."
The Commission was established in October 2022 by Gov. Kathy Hochul and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown in response to the mass shooting at the Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue. The 5/14 Memorial Commission consists of 11 community members.
"The Commission is going to be working on creating a memorial that does much more than mark and remember the infamous date of the mass shooting," said Mo Sumbundu, representing Gov. Hochul during a press conference on Tuesday and liaison to the 5/14 Memorial Commission. "With the help and support of the entire community, we will create a memorial that, first-and-foremost, honors the dead. A memorial that accurately places the horrific event in the history of Buffalo. A memorial that shines a light on a community that has shown itself to be courageous, resilient, and compassionate. A memorial that says we will never forget.
"This is a very difficult job, because we want to get it right, and want the survivors to be heard and respected throughout the entire process. Their grief is indescribable. Their families have been ripped apart, and they have been through a lot. So maybe, in a small way, this memorial will send a message. A message of love from the community to everyone who was left devastated by the senseless act of violence that occurred on May 14. We have a solemn obligation to make sure that we work hard to create a better and safer East Buffalo for all."
Rev. Blue says the Commission does not have a site selected yet, but they re working on that, as well as a design concept with the input from the community being taken into consideration.
He also says there is no timeline that has been placed on this project, saying they want to just make sure the process is done in a correct, and respectful manner.
"One of the things that we did do is look at what others have done, and it's not only time consuming, but we're appreciative for the work they've done so we don't have to reinvent the wheel," Rev. Blue said. "We have a desired timeline, but we want to make sure we do it right. And, again, this is the first time we've ever done this. So patience is part of the key that we need to have, but we want community input to help drive that, as well."
More from Tuesday's press conference pertaining to the 5/14 Memorial Commission is available in the player below:
