Published May 15, 2022
Dear Colleagues,
Yesterday, May 14, 2022, Buffalo experienced one of the worst mass shooting events in the history of New York State in the last 100 years. Our loss is as incomprehensible as Binghamton's loss of fourteen souls in an immigration center shooting in 2009, and East New York's loss of 10 in April of 1984 at what is still remembered as the Palm Sunday Massacre.
Officials report Buffalo's tragedy as a racially motivated hate crime. It sickens me that such hatred came into our city, leaving thirteen people shot and 10 dead, tearing a hole in our community. We are shocked and heartbroken, grieving for all our neighbors who are the victims and their families, our city, and our region. In solidarity, we lift up one another with open hearts, compassion, respect, and love.
Looking through our grief, the School of Architecture and Planning continues its work with UB and so many others in the city and region, embracing the values of equity and justice. Together we are smothering hate and dismantling the legacies of racism.
The UB community is here to support our faculty, staff, and students as they grieve. Please reach out to UB's Counseling Services or UB's Intercultural and Diversity Center offering a safe space for students.
Sincerely,
Bob Shibley
