BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Chants of "no more of this," rang through a half-mile stretch of Jefferson Avenue Saturday afternoon. Anti-violence groups were joined by people of all ages, marching for an end to black on black violence.
Bishop Frederick Gelsey said he decided to organize the march following theshooting of 23-year-old Rayshionna Johnson. The mother of three was shot and killed at a party in Buffalo in late September, three men were also shot at the same location.
Marchers carried signs in Johnson's honor.
“At her funeral, I decided that we need to do something about it, and the family said yes we need to do something, so we decided to march against black on black homicides,” Gelsey said.
The calls for an end to violence come as the city sees a surge in shootings. As of last month, shootings in Buffalo are up 81% this year compared to 2019. There have been 213 shootings, and 48 homicides, in buffalo from January through the end of September.
Stop the Violence Coalition Executive Director Murray Holman said all age groups need to take a stance.
“We’re saying that people that live in Buffalo, that’s effected in Western New York, we’re going to march," he said. "This is what we’re going to be doing, so look forward to seeing these types of protesting going on throughout the city."
Hollman said there will be a march for any homicide in the city.
