There will be no public speakers, rather a memorial service will be held in Niagara Square from 5 p.m.-6 p.m. as an opportunity for people to meet each other, talk with each other, listen to each other, and heal together - regardless of race, creed, color, orientation or politics.
The service has been organized by Common Council President Darius Pridgen and Lana Benatovich, Executive Director of the National Federation for Just Communities, with support from the Buffalo Police Benevolent Association, the AFL-CIO, along with clergy from across the region. They say the public has been exposed to a great deal of polarization regarding the recent violence across the nation.
"In order to work together for positive change, we need to heal together," said Pridgen. In the face of catastrophic tragedies, the common denominator for all communities is the loss of life. We are holding this memorial as a way to begin that healing process."
"People of color need to feel safe," says Benatovich, "and the law enforcement community needs to go home safely to their families."
At 6 p.m., #WNYHealsTogether will ring bells for each victim of recent violence, as their names are read and images of their faces are shown. The public is invited to participate in the service.
