Residents of South Buffalo are taking action after learning that a “White Lives Matter” rally has been planned for Cazenovia Park on Saturday.
The 3 p.m. rally, which has been making the rounds on social media, was coordinated by the neo-Nazi National Socialist Movement based in Detroit. On its website, the party says it is “the political party for every patriotic white American” and that one its core beliefs is “promotion of white separation.”
Two South Buffalo lawmakers, state Senator Tim Kennedy and Erie County Legislator Patrick Burke, are denouncing the gathering. Burke says an independent counter-protest has been organized for members of the community to make their voices heard.
“We’re not happy about it. I’m personally not happy about it, but they obviously have the right to assemble under the Constitution. We’re not trying to block them from assembling, but I want a loud voice from my community saying that they don’t represent our values,” Burke told WBFO.
Burke, who lives in and represents the area, did not organize the counter-protest himself. He says the mayor’s office and Buffalo Police are aware of the rally and appropriate safety measures will be in place to make sure the situation doesn’t get out of hand.
“I’m really encouraging people to protest peacefully [and] respectfully. We really don’t want to see this get out of hand,” he said. – READ MORE
