BUFFALO, N.Y. — New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined several local leaders, as well as members of the 5/14 Memorial Commission to announce a final design for the memorial.
The memorial will be called 'Seeing Us' and contains 10 inter-connected pillars inscribed with the names of the 10 people who were shot and killed in a mass, racially-motivated shooting at the Tops Market on Jefferson Avenue on May 14, 2022.
The memorial, which will honor the 10 victims and keep their memory alive, will also include a new building which will be a hub for education, exhibitions, community activities and events.
"As we approach the solemn two-year anniversary of when our neighbors were senselessly slaughtered solely because of the color of their skin, we rededicate ourselves in supporting the East Buffalo community, remembering those we lost, and supporting those who were injured," Governor Hochul said.
The final design was chosen following meetings with family members of victims, survivors, residents, local artists and business leaders. Several public meeting and a community survey were also held, so the public could share their thoughts on how this memorial would best represent our community.
The memorial was designed by Jin Young Song and Douglass Alligood.
“The second anniversary of the 5/14 Racially Motivated Mass Shooting is just hours away. It is, and will always be, a somber mark in our city’s history. Our city and region continue to mourn the lives that were taken by an out-of-town white supremacist on that day. I am proud of all the work the 5/14 Memorial Commission has done to create a memorial that reflects the wishes of the families and the community. I also thank the organizations and businesses that have helped us in this process," said Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown.
"I have said it from the beginning of this process, that we have just one time to get it right. We have reviewed the submissions. We have spoken with the families, and I am confident that we have made a good choice. What happened on 5/14 was an act of senseless violence and it was an act of hate. It's my intent to make sure we have a memorial that the families and the communities can be proud of," said 5/14 Memorial Commission Chairman Reverend Mark E. Blue.
The state is also investing an additional $4 million dollars, bringing the state's contribution to $5 million to build the memorial. The City of Buffalo announced last month that it would contribute $1 million. The commission is also working to fundraise additional money for the project which is expected to cost $15 million.
"It's a representation that the families support. It is stark, but it's also has a warmth about it when you walk up and you can understand who this person was and what they meant to their family. And also having the building associated with it. With many memorials are static, and you walk around them, and you observe, and you reflect, and you leave. But to have a community gathering space where people can, you have traveling exhibits and if they want to do any kind of respectful performances, or bring the community together to have a conversation about, you know, gun violence and what we can do more about it, I think that is the most fascinating part of this," said Gov. Kathy Hochul.
"No matter what this looks like, no matter what it is, let's be very clear. It's not going to bring my mother back. It's not going to take the place of our loved ones. It's not going to undo all of the damage that's been done in our community. Generationally. But it does represent hope for a better day. It does represent the planting of a seed within this community that will hopefully bear fruit that future generations will not have to go through what we went through, what our loved ones went through. That's what it represents to me," said Garnell Whitfield, Jr.
"There was audible sobbing. I mean, people were so touched in their hearts and that just brought me back to the place where we were two years ago when there was just no, it was an endless supply of tears that came from all of us. Even now, just the hugs. It's still very raw. It will always be raw. This is, you know, mom, a dad, a brother, a sister, a child," said Gov. Hochul.
There's no word yet from the commission on where the memorial will be built.
The 5/14 Memorial Commission was created in late 2022 by Hochul and Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown to plan a memorial that honors the lives that were lost that day, as well as the community impact.
