Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - New York Gov. Kathy Hochul officially unveiled the design plan for a permanent 5/14 Memorial on Monday that honors the 10 Black lives lost and three others wounded in the racially motivated mass shooting two years ago Tuesday.
Following Monday's announcement of the permanent memorial details, local residents are eager to see it constructed.
The proposed project will include 10 pillars, all interconnected varying in height and size, inscribed with the names of the victims and survivors. The memorial will also include a facility that will be used as a central community hub.
Kelvin, a local resident who knew one of the victims, likes the idea of a memorial, but believes there still needs to be more representation for the people who were affected.
"Regarding what happened two years ago, 5/14/2022 here on Jefferson Avenue - where I grew up right up the street from here - there needs to be people who are not involved in the situation, that doesn't have anything invested, other than just getting a paycheck, to stay the hell away from this issue," said Kelvin in his interview with WBEN.
Kelvin later explained the best way to remember the victims is to educate younger generations on being more accepting and caring towards others.
"Everyone in this surrounding suburb has a part to play. The individual who was responsible for this, he wasn't born this way. He learned as a result of what he did. That was learned behavior. Now this is on white people everywhere," Kelvin stated. "Raise your damn kids right, and teach your kids to respect people, and particularly people who do not look like you. That's how you keep this situation from happening again, and that's how you honor not only the 10 people whose lives were tragically taken two years ago, but other instances of this happening. Not just in this region, state, or nation, but around the world. Racism is a worldwide issue, not just a Buffalo issue."
