Three years ago, on May 14, 2022, a senseless act of racially motivated violence forever changed Buffalo, New York. At the Tops Market on Jefferson Avenue, ten cherished members of our community were taken from us and the lives of countless survivors were forever changed in a tragedy that shook the nation and devastated families, friends, and neighbors.
At Neighborhood Legal Services, we pause to remember and honor the lives of:
- Celestine Chaney
- Roberta Drury
- Andre Mackniel
- Katherine Massey
- Margus Morrison
- Heyward Patterson
- Aaron Salter, Jr.
- Geraldine Talley
- Ruth Whitfield
- Pearl Young
Each name represents a life full of love, service, and significance—grandparents, parents, children, friends, and pillars of our community. Their legacies continue to inspire us.
As we mark this solemn anniversary, we also reaffirm our commitment to equitable justice. The wounds of that day are deep, but so is the resilience of Buffalo. In the face of hate, we choose unity. In the face of loss, we choose remembrance. And in the face of injustice, we choose to act.
Neighborhood Legal Services stands with the families, neighborhoods, and communities forever changed by that day. We honor the memory of those lost not just in reflection, but in our daily work—ensuring that every person we serve has full access to the justice system.
They will not be forgotten.