FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAY 23, 2022
Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM)
Admin@aadmovement.org
1-800-9 AADM 07
(1-800-922-3607)
AADM to Host Vigil for Victims of Recent Racially-Motivated Shooting in Buffalo
Athens, Georgia- The Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) is hosting a vigil for the victims of the recent shooting in Buffalo, New York. The vigil will begin at 5:30pm at Athens City Hall. Guest speakers include Rev. Bloodsaw from Ebenezer Baptist Church and Robert Foster from the Oconee Street Methodist Church. Attendees are encouraged to bring signs, flowers, candles, and anything else appropriate to honor the lives lost.
On May 14th, 2022, a gunman entered a grocery store in a majority-Black Buffalo neighborhood and shot thirteen people, fatally wounding ten. All ten of the deceased victims were Black with ages ranging from 32 to 86 years old. The accused shooter’s actions are said to have been motivated by a belief in racist conspiracy theories, specifically directed towards Black people.
The AADM denounces racism and violence in all of its forms and is deeply saddened by the events in Buffalo. The organization is collecting funds to donate to an organization or organizations committed to supporting the Buffalo shooting victims’ families and advocating for justice for their losses. Donations may be made here:
Deadline for donations is June 10th, 2022.
The AADM invites anyone who would like to take part in planning next action steps to come to their weekly Local Action committee meeting on Tuesday, May 24th from 6pm-7pm via Zoom. Guests may register for the Zoom link at https://bit.ly/3lAhnb6.
For those who need a safe space to heal, AADM will host their Art for Justice class on Saturday, May 28th from 3pm-5pm. The class is open to artists of all different levels and will include a guided reflective discussion on the events in Buffalo and racial violence. Donations collected during the Art for Justice class will go towards AADM’s fund for the Buffalo shooting, as well as the organization’s services and programs dedicated to racial justice and advocacy.
Additionally, the AADM’s Unite Against Discrimination campaign is open to all businesses who are committed stand in solidarity against hatred, racism, and discrimination. Participating businesses sign a pledge and receive a sticker to display. To become a part of the Unite Against Discrimination campaign, please fill out the form here: https://www.aadmovement.org/get-a-sticker-united-against-discrimination/.
For more information or media inquiry, please contact admin@aadmovement.org.
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Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement
Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM) is a grassroots, 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2016 and based in Athens, Georgia. The group aims to combat discrimination through education and activism. For more information visit www.aadmovement.org, their Facebook @AADMovement, or their Twitter and Instagram @aadmovement706