Dear Colleagues,
Please see the following from UUP Statewide President, Mr. Fred Kowal:
Colleagues,
I have been asked by the UUP Chapter at Buffalo State to request that you join in a moment of silence on Friday at 2:30 pm to honor the victims of Saturday’s racist act of domestic terror in Buffalo and as a show of solidarity with the Buffalo community. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families and all who are affected by this tragedy. Let us take that moment on Friday to honor them.
I also would encourage you to support our colleagues in Buffalo and the larger Buffalo community during this incredibly difficult time. Here you will find a list of organizations, compiled by the Civic and Community Engagement Office at Buffalo State. These organizations are supporting the neighborhood and families in need.
In addition, the Western New York AFL-CIO is joining the UAW, in conjunction with Rooted in Love, the Buffalo Fire Department, and the Buffalo Police Department, to hold a community event to address the food desert that has developed in the aftermath of the tragic mass shooting. During the community event, volunteers will be giving out fresh produce, groceries, and personal hygiene products at the Frank E. Merriweather Library in Buffalo on Saturday, May 21, from 10 am – 2 pm. Event organizers are looking for volunteer help from 8 am – 4:30 pm on the day of the event. If you can help, please RSVP before the end of Friday to George Boger at gboger@wnyalf.org and provide the time you are able to volunteer, so they may effectively coordinate the efforts.
UUP members have always stepped up for each other and the communities we serve. Please consider doing what you can to help bring about the healing so desperately needed in Buffalo right now. We will continue to support the Buffalo community in any way that we can and pledge to stand with them in their demand for justice. We will not stand by as racism and violence continue to plague our country and we will do all that we can as educators and healers to stop the spread of racist ideas that are contrary to all that we stand for and believe in as human beings.
In solidarity,
Frederick E. Kowal, Ph.D.
President
United University Professions