Two Years On: Buffalo Unites to Remember Victims, Renews Fight Against Hate

Two years have passed, yet the pain remains as raw as the day a hate-fueled act shattered the peace of Buffalo’s Jefferson Avenue. On the solemn eve of the second anniversary of the horrific May 14, 2022, Tops supermarket shooting, a powerful 'Say Their Names' memorial converged directly across from the store, transforming grief into a resolute demand for justice and an unwavering stand against hatred.

Families of the ten beloved victims, their strength a testament to enduring love, stood united with national civil rights leaders, community advocates, and hundreds of Buffalo residents.

The air was thick with remembrance and resolve as Reverend Al Sharpton, founder and president of the National Action Network, led the poignant ceremony. His presence underscored the national significance of the Buffalo tragedy – a stark reminder that the fight against white supremacy and racial injustice is far from over.

Each name – Celestine Chaney, Roberta Drury, Andre Mackneil, Katherine Massey, Margus Morrison, Aaron Salter Jr., Geraldine Talley, Ruth Whitfield, Pearl Young, Heyward Patterson – was spoken aloud, not merely as an act of remembrance, but as a reaffirmation of their stolen lives and the void left behind.

The memorial was a sacred space where tears mingled with fierce determination, echoing the sentiment that these lives would not be forgotten, nor their deaths in vain.

Speakers, including the passionate Rev. Sharpton, delivered stirring calls for action. They condemned the insidious nature of white supremacy that birthed such violence and demanded concrete steps toward racial and economic justice.

A recurring theme was the urgent need for community ownership and empowerment, specifically advocating for the Tops store – the very site of the tragedy – to be purchased by the community, transforming a symbol of pain into a beacon of hope and local control.

The event served as a poignant reminder that while two years have etched themselves into the city’s history, the work of healing and fighting for equity is ongoing.

It was a commitment to not just mourn, but to mobilize; to not just remember, but to relentlessly pursue a future where such senseless acts are not only condemned but prevented. The Buffalo community, joined by allies nationwide, vowed to continue their march towards a more just, inclusive, and equitable society, ensuring that the legacy of the May 14th victims fuels a movement for profound change.