Statement Regarding Tragedy in Buffalo

May 16, 2022

We are saddened by the recent act of extremist violence in Buffalo. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and the entire Buffalo region. Buffalo is one of Bond’s homes. Many of our employees and clients live and work in the Buffalo area. The loss is deeply felt and we are working to find ways to assist our neighbors in the impacted communities. An act of violence such as this, which intentionally targeted a predominantly Black neighborhood at a grocery store - a place so many of us frequent without a second thought - can shatter a community’s sense of safety and place. For many residents of the Buffalo region and for Black communities across the country, this act of violence creates additional trauma well beyond the crime scene. 

It is deeply disturbing that this horrific event was motivated by hate and extreme bias. Incidents of such targeted hatred based on racism are on the rise throughout all of our communities. Grocery shopping while Black seems to be a dangerous experience. Taking the subway while Asian appears to be unsafe. Going to your synagogue while Jewish may be hazardous. Walking through your neighborhood as a member of the LGBTQ community can be perilous. The hate and the violence must stop.

There are difficult weeks and months ahead for members of the communities impacted by this unspeakable tragedy. They must not be forgotten. And the hate and racism that led to the unspeakable violence must not be tolerated. We must do this to honor those we have lost.

Bond, Schoeneck & King is committed to the promotion of anti-racism and intentional diversity throughout our communities, the legal profession and our firm. We must continue to educate ourselves and to take a stand against incidents of discrimination, bias, violence and assault in all forms and work to dismantle the structures in place that perpetuate discrimination. There is much work left to do.

Kevin M. Bernstein,
Management Committee Chairman

Community Support

Bond continues to seek channels to support the Buffalo community following the hate-fueled mass shooting at the Tops supermarket. Today, the Firm made a donation to the 5/14 Survivors Fund to honor the victims of the tragedy. As with all donations to the 5/14 Survivors Fund, 100% of our contribution will go directly to families of the deceased, those injured in the shooting, and anyone who was present at the store and experienced psychological trauma.

This organization is a partnership between Tops and the National Compassion Fund. The National Compassion Fund provides financial assistance to victims in mass casualty events. It is a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of Crime, an organization which provides resources and advocacy for crime victims. For anyone wishing to contribute directly, click here. 
 
Many in the community, including some in our own firm, will continue to feel the impact of this tragedy well into the days and weeks ahead. Those lost must not be forgotten.  And the hate and racism that led to the unspeakable violence must not be tolerated.  Bond, Schoeneck & King is committed to the promotion of anti-racism and intentional diversity throughout our communities, the legal profession, and our firm. We must continue to educate ourselves and to stand together against discrimination and bias in all forms.