BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has announced the schedule of remembrance events for the "5/14 Remembrance Weekend: Reflection, Healing & Hope," to mark one year since the mass shooting at Tops Market on Jefferson Avenue.
The remembrance events include a panel discussion focused on combating white supremacy and social media radicalization, and an Educational Day of Healing & Restoration hosted by Buffalo Public Schools. There will also be a community gathering focused on reflection, healing and hope, a remembrance service at Tops on Jefferson Avenue followed by a church service featuring Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant from the New Birth Missionary
Baptist Church in Atlanta Georgia.
In addition, a reflective light display will shine on the columns of Buffalo City Hall from dawn to dusk throughout the weekend of May 12, as part of a special tribute to the ten lives taken.
"We're going to utilize Johnny B. Wiley Sports Pavilion. The field will be used for performances and remembrances," said Cedric Holloway, a member of the 5-14 Remembrance Committee, and Director of the Johnny B. Wiley amateur athletic sports pavilion. "We have plans for the entire day on 5-14, including gospel groups and musical performances, food trucks, and ice cream truck and an art truck. It's going to be a respectful day of remembrance for the victims of 5-14."
Holloway remembers being at the pavilion when the attack took place. "It was absolutely horrific. But our city rallied and pulled together. We made several provisions for this local community, supplying mental health help, groceries,
transportation to another grocery store. It showed how strong and resilient our city is," he added.
Mayor Byron Brown remembers it as a day the unthinkable happened. "The racially motivated mass shooting shook our community to its core. It happened because the wound caused by white supremacy embedded in our country's history and fabric continues to fester. It also happened because social media platforms and gun laws have gone unchecked for far too long in our country," said the Mayor. "We must come together as a nation to face this fact, to address racism, and to educate our young people of all ages and of all races, or we will continue to see innocent people killed by individuals filled with hate."
The theme of the 5/14 Remembrance Weekend is Reflection, Healing & Hope.
The mass shooting killed ten people and injured three others May 14, 2022.
The deceased victims have been identified as Roberta A. Drury, 32, Margus D. Morrison, 52, Andre Mackneil, 53, Aaron Salter, 55, Geraldine Talley, 62, Celestine Chaney, 65, Heyward Patterson, 67, Katherine Massey, 72, Pearl Young, 77, and Ruth Whitfield, 86.
Three injured survivors were identified as Zaire Goodman, 20, Jennifer Warrington, 50, and Christopher Braden, 55.
Friday, May 12th
Educational Day of Healing & Restoration
The Buffalo Public School District in conjunction with BOCES are hosting an
"Educational Day of Healing & Restoration" for school age students. The event will feature a Virtual Healing Circle, book readings, uplifting messages from special guests. The public can participate via live stream.
Panel Discussion: Beyond Hate / Roswell Park
The event is open to the public and takes place from 9 a.m. to noon at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, in the First Floor Conference Room. Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve a spot via Eventbrite. Featuring: A Conversation with New York Times Bestselling author, professor, and anti-racism activist Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and moderator Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry host of NPR's The Takeaway.
Panelists: The Most Reverend Michael Curry Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the United States and author of Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times, Dr. Helene Gayle, President of Spelman College, John B. King Jr. Chancellor of the State University of New York, City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.
Saturday, May 13th
Community Gathering for Reflection Healing and Hope / Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion. The event details will be released soon.
Sunday, May 14th
Moment of Remembrance / Tops Friendly Markets Jefferson Avenue.
Event Information: 2 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue. The moment of remembrance will be led by Mayor Byron Brown and followed by church bells chiming at 2:28 p.m.
Memorial Service for Healing and Hope / Elim Christian Fellowship.
A memorial church service featuring Pastor Jamal Harrison Bryant, pastor of the New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta Georgia. The worship service will take place at 6 p.m. at Elim Christian Fellowship 70 Chalmers Avenue, Buffalo.
