New York State Senate Passes Resolution Condemning Buffalo Shooting

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the first African-American, and African American woman  to lead the Senate, called out the “white supremacy, and racism” that motivated the shooting, and blamed some politicians in America today that she says want to score wins by  promoting  hate and fear. She says that talk can only lead to more violence.

“We will find that each and every one of us will have incidents like this,” Stewart Cousins said. “And suddenly, this American dream inspired by an enlightened constitution, that has brought all of us as far as we’ve come, will mean nothing.”

Senate Republican Minority Leader Robert Ortt, represents regions surrounding Buffalo, including the home of one of the victims, retired police officer, Aaron Salter, who fired his gun in an attempt to stop the shooter. Ortt and Assembly GOP Minority Leader William Barclay introduced a bill Monday to restore the state’s death penalty for mass murders, and homicides motivated by hate or acts of terrorism. Ortt, in his remarks on the floor, says it’s too soon, though, debate politics, and which policies could help stem violent hate crimes.

“ I’m not going to have it here, because this is a somber event ,” Ortt said. “We’re trying to remember the ten people who did not come out of that store. The ten people whose lives ended because they went grocery shopping.”

Members then held a moment of silence for the victims.