Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Garnell Whitfield, former Buffalo Fire Commissioner and son of one of the 10 victims of the Tops mass shooting on Jefferson Avenue, has been outspoken on the racist attack by an 18-year-old White supremacist on May 14, 2022.
Whitfield has testified before Congress, appeared at a rally on the National Mall, and met with President Joe Biden at the White House. Now he and his family have organized a three-day conference at Buffalo State University that targets hate and healing.
It's called "Pursuit of tRuth: 5/14 Remembrance, Recovery & Prevention of Hate Conference & Launch Gala."
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"This is happening in Buffalo, New York where we experienced 5/14," said Whitfield on WBEN. "There's never been a panel assembled like the one we have here. They are premiere people in their fields coming together to share information and strategize on how to move forward."
He noted that the panel is not just national, but global. It includes the special advisor on genocide from the UN. Whitfield called it a global effort, much like 5-14 was a global event.
Regarding the racial component of the attack on 5/14, Whitfield said he has experienced racism for his entire life. Adding, "It's so prevalent, that we've almost come to accept it." He noted that Buffalo has historically been a segregated town; calling it one of the most segregated cities in America.
"This became very personal for me on 5/14," said Whitfield. My mother was a strong advocate for justice and her family. We would be remiss as a family not to standup in the wake of her murder and the other nine souls lost on that day. We don't have a choice. It's our turn to stand up not only for their legacies, but for our children and grandchildren," he said.
Whitfield said he supports gun legislation and mental health initiatives but at the end of the day, he said white supremacy is the underlying problem and he intends to call it what it is.
"No conference or legislation is going to change anything. We need to talk to each other and have open and honest discussions. This gives us an opportunity to come together, understand each other and find a path forward."