Garnell Whitfield, the son of 86-year-old Ruth Whitfield, who was shot and killed in Buffalo, shared an emotional message with Congress Tuesday. He challenged members of Congress to ask themselves what actions they could take to stop the “cancer of white supremacy.”
Whitfield’s mother was one of 10 victims gunned down by a white 18-year-old at the Buffalo supermarket last month. Authorities have described the shooting as “racially motivated violent extremism.”
“If there is nothing that you’re willing to do, respectfully, senator, you should yield your positions of authority and influence to others that are willing to lead on this issue,” Whitfield said.
Whitfield won’t be the only voice speaking out to Congress. Tuesday’s hearing is the first of two, where survivors and families of the victims from both the Buffalo shooting and the Uvalde school shooting will come together for a public hearing.
Whitfield led the charge, letting Congress know, “My mother’s life mattered. Your actions here today will tell us how much it mattered to you.”
