Skip to main content
Laurier lawn sign
Laurier statement following hate-motivated shooting in Buffalo

Laurier statement following hate-motivated shooting in Buffalo

May 16, 2022

Print | PDF

The Wilfrid Laurier University community joins others around the world in grieving after a mass shooting motivated by hate and anti-Black racism happened in Buffalo, NY this weekend.

Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and others impacted by this act of hatred, including people from African, Caribbean and Black communities. Acts of violence like this are committed to instill fear in targeted groups. Laurier strongly condemns violence and the white-supremacist racism that drives this violence.

The university stands with the victims and all those impacted and will continue to take action to eradicate anti-Black racism and all forms of discrimination on our campuses and in our communities.

In response to the hate-motivated attack in Buffalo, Laurier’s Centre for Student, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and Black Faculty and Staff Caucus are holding a virtual Black healing space May 19 at 6 p.m. Students, staff and faculty who identify as Black are invited to register and attend.

We also encourage students, faculty and staff who may need support to reach out to one of the following services below. For more personalized support, students can connect with Shevaungh Thomas, a racialized counsellor and registered social worker in Laurier’s campus student wellness centres. Shevaughn supports students who identify as Black and people of colour and works from an anti-oppressive framework.

Other supports for students

Supports for staff and faculty

  • The Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) available through Laurier’s Human Resources department
  • Equity and Accessibility in Human Resources: equity@wlu.ca
  • Office of the Associate Vice-President: Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, avpedi@wlu.ca
  • Black Faculty and Staff Caucus: blackcaucus@wlu.ca
  • Delton Glebe Counseling Centre: glebecentre@wlu.ca
×