We are reeling at the horrific news of the senseless murder of ten people at the hands of a white supremacist. He targeted a predominantly Black neighborhood supermarket in Buffalo, here in our home state of New York. 

Our hearts ache with the families and loved ones of those murdered. We are enraged at the ideologies of white supremacy and white nationalism that continue to take hold across the country and across our state, and put Black lives at risk on a daily basis. 

As an organization, we say, Black Lives Matter, because we recognize the disproportionate present and historic trauma that has been inflicted and continues to be inflicted on our Black and Afro-Latinx communities. 

White supremacy undermines all of our safety and ability to thrive, and we must continue to do the hard work to upend it. We are committed to a future where everyone has the right to work and rest and live a life with respect, dignity, and justice. 

Today, we say the names of the Buffalo community members who tragically and senselessly lost their lives this weekend. Join us in taking a moment to say their names: 

Celestine Chaney, 65

Roberta A. Drury, 32

Andre Mackneil, 53

Katherine Massey, 72

Margus D. Morrison, 52

Heyward Patterson, 67

Aaron Salter Jr., 55

Geraldine Talley, 62

Ruth Whitfield, 86

and Pearl Young, 77

We will be in touch as we learn more about ways we can support the Buffalo community in response to this horrific tragedy. We recommend following Black Love Resists in the Rust for updates on ways to support the Buffalo community.