National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and Buffalo Urban League President Thomas Beauford, Jr., issued the following statement in response to the racially-motivated mass shooting at a Buffalo supermarket in the heart of its predominantly Black East Side community:

Our hearts and deepest sympathies are with the families who have lost loved ones to another senseless act of racial violence.  

As white supremacists hatred has raged out of control over the last few years, social media and gun merchants exploit it for profits, while atrocities and trauma continues to be inflicted on communities of color. 

We call on state and federal law enforcement to pursue hate crimes charges against the shooter and to pursue policies to prevent such tragedies in the future. 

Until we as a nation begin to confront the twin threats of domestic extremism and reckless gun policies as the grave crises they are, innocent people will continue to pay the deadly price. 

Questions or media inquiries may be directed to Teresa Candori at tcandori@nul.org or 212-558-5363.