R 308
2022 -- S 2942
Enacted 05/17/2022

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
CONDEMNING THE MAY 14, 2022, MASS SHOOTING IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK

Introduced By: Senators Mack, Acosta, Euer, Mendes, Calkin, Anderson, Zurier, DiMario, Valverde, and Coyne

Date Introduced: May 17, 2022

     WHEREAS, This Senate stands in solidarity with all Black-Americans living in Rhode
Island, particularly those who have suffered from unfair treatment based on their race and/or
ethnicity; and
     WHEREAS, In this spirit, the members vehemently condemn the mass shooting that
occurred on May 14, 2022, in Buffalo; and
     WHEREAS, Thirteen people were shot, ten of whom were killed on that tragic day, the
majority of the victims of this racially motivated terrorist attack perpetrated by a radicalized white
supremacist were Black; and
     WHEREAS, Unjust, hateful, and violent rhetoric and treatment toward Black Americans
have occurred across the United States at alarming rates; and
     WHEREAS, This rhetoric can be traced back to the early history of this nation, and
continued divisive language, rhetoric and imagery has been used by high-ranking politicians with
little forethought or prudence; and
     WHEREAS, This rhetoric has led to a dramatic decrease in safety and belonging in Black
American communities and increased harassment, discrimination and prejudice in policy,
healthcare, housing, and a myriad of other social structures; and
     WHEREAS, This treatment is antithetical to the nature of what it means to be an
American, and to live in a just and equitable society; and
     WHEREAS, This treatment, when unaddressed and allowed to fester, can lead to horrific
events such as the mass shooting in Buffalo; and
     WHEREAS, This is precedent to fully support and pass swift action on common sense
gun legislation; and
     WHEREAS, It is in this spirit that the events on May 14, 2022, in Buffalo are duly
condemned by all in this Senate; and
     WHEREAS, In so doing, this Senate of the State of Rhode Island recognizes that the
prosperity, livelihood and hope of all in our great state depends on every citizen being able to live
freely without fear of being ostracized, harassed, discriminated against, or killed because of their
race or ethnicity; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to all general office holders, members of the
Rhode Island Congressional Delegation, NAACP, Institute for the Study and Practice of Non-
Violence, Jewish Alliance, Center for Southeast Asians, Narragansett Tribe, Latino Policy
Institute, and African American Ambassadors group.
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LC005988
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