HAMBURG, N.Y. (WKBW) — “Just because it happened in Minnesota doesn’t mean it can't happen here," Hamburg native Lauren said. "This stuff happens every single day.”
13-year-old Lauren of Hamburg is standing in alliance with George Floyd, the 46 year old Minneapolis man who died while being pinned down by a police officer's knee.
“Honestly, I was disgusted about how the situation was handled. It could have been much more civil,” Lauren said.
Lauren says she always advocates for human rights movements like black lives matter, so in honor of George Floyd, she is encouraging all of Hamburg to light their porches in red.
“The homicide awareness ribbon is red and black, and obviously a black light light bulb wouldn’t be ideal," Lauren laughs. "So, I decided to go with red. Just to make it known that this was an unjust homicide.”
On Friday, Lauren walked through her neighborhood passing out flyers to help spread the word.
“And I also put in the flyer, if you are unable to purchase a red lightbulb then you can get a black and white ribbon. Some of my friends are putting red flowers in their yard. Anything like that," she said.
Lauren is asking participants to turn on their red lights by May 31 and to keep them on for 7 days to symbolize the 7 minutes George Floyd was suffocating under that officer's knee.
“I really just wanna make like people know his name and know his story," she said.
And while she’s only 13.
“I understand that my generation is the building blocks of the future and we’re the fundamentals of society. So, I really do what I can so I can set a good example for those who come after me.”
For more information on how to support Lauren’s cause, email her at jfgfhamburg@gmail.com
