Our hearts are with the families who have lost their loved ones in the Buffalo, NY attack.

Dear Supporter,

We at Right To Be are completely devastated and overwhelmed with grief by the senseless racially motivated terror attack that happened on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 in Buffalo, New York. These heinous acts are a reminder of the ongoing racial violence against Black people that permeates America. We are heartbroken over the tragedy but committed to stopping hate from seeping through the fabric of our country.

As a community, we continue to stand in solidarity for racial injustice. Saturday’s acts of violence are not only a personal tragedy for the victims’ families but also one for this country! Black Lives Matter. We stand in solidarity with measures and movements that pursue policies and strategies that foster racial justice.

Let’s say their names, their lives matter:

  • Roberta A. Drury, 32, who had moved to Buffalo to be with her brother, who had a bone marrow transplant
  • Margus D. Morrison, 52
  • Andre Mackneil, 53
  • Aaron Salter, 55, a retired police officer who was working as a security guard in Top Friendly Mart grocery store. Aaron is a hero, who lost his life while attempting to stop the attacker.
  • Geraldine Talley, 62
  • Celestine Chaney, 65, a devoted grandmother
  • Heyward Patterson, 67, a dedicated churchgoer who drove people to and from the supermarket
  • Katherine Massey, 72, a community activist with a "beautiful soul", according to her sister
  • Pearl Young, 77, who dedicated her Saturdays to working in a soup kitchen
  • Ruth Whitfield, 86, who had just been to visit her husband in a care home

The youngest victim, store worker Zaire Goodman, 20, was released from hospital after being shot in the neck. Jennifer Warrington, 50, has also been treated and released, while Christopher Braden, 55, is in stable condition.

 

In the following days, we will release more details on how we can all shift into action and support the Movement for Black Lives. In the meantime, please know that we are standing right beside you, hurting and grieving the beautiful lives that were taken unnecessarily.

 

With love, 

 

Right To Be, formerly Hollaback!