05/14 Blue flags honor lives lost in Buffalo shooting

BUFFALO, NY — Community leaders from across our region came together Tuesday morning to honor those who lost their lives in a mass shooting in Buffalo two years ago.

Ten Black people were killed in a racially motivated mass shooting at Tops Markets on Jefferson Avenue on May 14, 2022.

The group officially unveiled the blue 5/14 flags that are displayed outside the Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Sports Pavilion on Jefferson Avenue.

The 5/14 Blue Flag initiative honors the lives lost and the community affected by this incident. The flags were created through therapeutic workshops that took place throughout our region. Additional flags will be created at various locations throughout the Buffalo School District.

On Monday, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul joined several local leaders, as well as members of the 5/14 Memorial Commission, to announce the final design of the memorial. The memorial will be called “Seeing Us” and will contain 10 interconnected pillars bearing the names of the 10 people who were killed.

The memorial, which will honor the 10 victims and keep their memory alive, will also include a new building that will serve as a center for education, exhibitions, community activities and events.