Buffalo church stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter

Durham Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is speaking out against the allege police brutality against African Americans.

At a demonstration in front of the church this afternoon, clergy leaders said they want to pray and protest for peace. Members of the church even wore all black to service in honor of Black Lives Matter Movement.  After church, they released black balloons in honor of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. They also released five white balloons in honor of the Dallas Police Officers who were killed Thursday night.

Members say they are standing in solidarity with other African Methodist Episcopal Zion Churches across the country, as they protest police brutality.

“Statistics show that blacks are being murdered and killed by law enforcement on a much higher proportion rate than whites. So it has been concluded that they are shooting blacks because they don’t matter, and we want to affirm that we do matter,” Rev. George C. Woodruff said.

Woodruff said this is the time for communities across Western New York to come together and talk about solutions. He said peace is needed and it starts with each individual.