NAACP Reacts to Sentencing of White Supremacist in Buffalo Shooting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2023
Contact: Jonah Bryson, jbryson@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON — Today, Payton Gendron, the 19-year-old white supremacist who killed ten Black people in an act of domestic terrorism at a Buffalo supermarket last May was sentenced to life in prison without parole. Following the tragedy last year, NAACP President Derrick Johnson met with Attorney General Merrick Garland to discuss the spread of white supremacy and hate crimes.
NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson reacted to today's news with the following statement:
"Today, the NAACP continues to mourn the ten Black lives lost in the hate-fueled act of domestic terrorism that took place in Buffalo last May. The sad reality is that the Black community lives under the constant threat of violence. Every time we visit our churches, the grocery store, we are forced to consider the fact that we may never return home. While we understand that the pain of losing a loved one, especially under these horrific circumstances, will never truly be healed, it is our hope that these families can find some comfort in the fact that this white supremacist will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Let me be clear - there is no place for hate in a democracy. Everyone, including Fox News, Twitter, and all other media giants, has a responsibility to stop the spread of misinformation that directly contributes to the proliferation of racist conspiracy theories that motivate domestic terrorists such as this one. And when these corporations fall short on their responsibilities, it is up to our federal law enforcement officials to hold them accountable for their role in the tragedies that occur as a result. The NAACP will continue to fight back against white supremacy and advocate for the policies necessary to dispel the spread of hate and extremist agendas in order to ensure our communities are protected."
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About NAACP
Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation's first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.