"We are the village" Ben Crump, Rev. Al Sharpton pledge support for Tops shooting victims

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Raw emotion on displayed as families speak of their loved ones gunned down at the Tops on Jefferson Avenue. For so many processing the pain, anger and sadness has only just begun as they remember the lives of those killed.

They are also calling for change and they have two big names standing beside them doing the same.

Attorney Ben Crump and civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton both say they are holding anyone, including social media platforms involved with the shooting accountable.

“We are the village! We are the village! We are the village!” chanted Attorney Crump, families of the victims and visitors.

Attorney Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton joined several of the tops shooting victims’ families, standing with them and demanding policy for hate crimes.

“There’s been no real national legislation, there’s been no real addressing of how we’re going to monitor and stop this in advance,” said Rev. Sharpton.

Family members of Andre Mackneil, Geraldine Talley, Ruth Whitfield and Haywood Patterson spoke, filled with emotion and described the pain of losing their loved one.

“The last time I spoke with my mother was on Mother’s Day, I sent her a text message saying ‘Happy Mother’s Day’ she replied ‘thank you’ and that was the last time. That was it. I never thought that would be the last time I would speak to her or hear her voice,” said Mark Talley, son of Geraldine Talley.

“I keep seeing her face coming up everywhere I look, but I can’t kiss her, I can’t hug her. We were supposed to go see the temptations play that night and I have the tickets still on my table,” said Ruth Whitfield’s oldest daughter.

“Thisis is my son, Jaresided he is twelve years-old and they took his father. He will grow up fatherless, he has to live even after this. And I have to pray that God give me strength to raise him the best of my ability,” said Tirzah Patterson, Hayward Patterson’s ex-wife.

Attorney Crump and Rev. Sharpton also called out President Joe Biden for action. They say if nothing is changed, another mass shooting will happen again.

“These hate crimes need to be stopped. We need to hold the social media companies, we need to hold all that aided and abetted in this era of hate all over this country,” said Rev. Sharpton.

“Whether Parkland or Columbine, this is just as bad and we have to act like that Rev. Al because if we don’t, then America doesn’t respond like it’s an act of terrorism. When it’s a terror attack on America we respond to the highest level. Well that’s what we want them to do for these victims, these Black victims in Buffalo, New York!” said Attorney Crump.

Attorney Crump and Rev. Sharpton both pledging to be there for the families, helping them with resources and seeking action.

Rev. Sharpton mentioned he’s called for a Hate Summit with President Biden to address these issues.