Assembly Resolution No. 511

BY: M. of A. Peoples-Stokes

COMMEMORATING the three-year Anniversary of the
shooting at Tops Friendly Markets in Buffalo, New
York, on May 14, 2025, and honoring the victims,
survivors, families, and community at large in wake
of this devastating tragedy

WHEREAS, The very principles of American freedom, and the safety and
security of every American at home and abroad were challenged by the
unspeakable atrocities committed in the East Side of Buffalo, during a
sunny afternoon on Saturday, May 14, 2022, at a Tops grocery store
located on historic Jefferson Ave; and

WHEREAS, As we mark the three-year anniversary of this senseless
massacre, the Greater Buffalo community is conducting an array of events
to honor those who lost their lives and to uplift the community,
including the 5/14 Blue Flag Initiative in honor of the lives taken
during the 5/14 racially-motivated mass shooting at Tops on Jefferson
Avenue; this initiative is sponsored by Roswell Park Comprehensive
Cancer Center and is a collaboration between the Mayor's Office, the
City of Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo Public Schools, and local
artists Brandon Watson and Brendan Bannon; the initiative calls for the
creation of blue cyanotype-design flags that will be hung along the
Jefferson Avenue corridor; and

WHEREAS, Other events in honor of the anniversary of this profound
tragedy include the ECMC's Memorial Walk, Community Health Center of
Buffalo Resiliency Center's Trauma Informed Training for Mass Violence
and a Candlelight Vigil, Healing Through Music at the Buffalo AKG, and
the community will gather for a remembrance ceremony at the Tops
supermarket; additionally, church bells will chime at 2:28 p.m., the
moment the 123-second rampage began; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, as we remember this horrific day, we honor the
10 innocent people who were killed: Roberta A. Drury, Geraldine Talley,
Celestine Chaney, Katherine Massey, Pearl Young, Ruth Whitfield, Margus
D. Morrison, Andre Mackneil, retired Buffalo Police Lieutenant Aaron
Salter, and Heyward Patterson; and

WHEREAS, In addition, we honor the injured survivors: Jennifer
Warrington, Zaire Goodman, and Christopher Braden, and many non-injured
survivors throughout the community; and

WHEREAS, The May 14th Memorial Commission was established by
Governor Kathy Hochul and former Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to combat
racism in all forms and work towards a future where hatred and bigotry
are a thing of the past; the Commission, led by Buffalo NAACP President
Reverend Mark Blue, will have a leading role in uplifting the East
Buffalo community; and

WHEREAS, For all New Yorkers, the images of this horrific domestic
act of terrorism rekindles heartbreaking memories and causes us to pause
and reflect on our daily lives; and

WHEREAS, The very heart and soul of America was once more shaken to
its core and this tragedy stands as a reminder that such senseless acts
of violence will not destroy the honorable values that America stands
for; and

WHEREAS, The power of human compassion and the strength and spirit
of the American people were revealed in Buffalo as we learned of the
immediate and heroic outpouring of service and concern for the victims
of this act of terrorism and in its aftermath; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body cannot express sufficient gratitude
to those devoted first responders, including police officers, Erie
County sheriff's deputies, and FBI agents, as well as paramedics and
firefighters, who inspire us all by carrying out their sworn duties with
great courage and bravery; and

WHEREAS, The combined and coordinated efforts of these individuals
and their swift response are a testament to the spirit of unity and
fellowship in the face of adversity which characterizes the best of
America; and

WHEREAS, The people of the State of New York stand steadfast in
their solidarity with Buffalo, New York, honoring all of whom were
victimized by the city's worst mass shooting on Saturday, May 14, 2022,
and standing resolute in our obligation to condemn racism, domestic
terrorism, and all forms of hatred; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the three-year Anniversary of the mass shooting at Tops
Friendly Supermarkets, and to extend to the people of Buffalo the
sincerest best wishes and heartfelt prayers of all New Yorkers; and be
it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to survivors and families of the victims of this horrific
act of domestic terrorism.