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Over 2,000 gather to Stop the Violence in MLK Park

"It's love. It's just all love. It's Buffalo."
Posted at 8:49 PM, Aug 10, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-11 14:42:19-04

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — "It's love. It's just all love. It's Buffalo," Murray Holman, the organizer of Stop the Violence, said.

That's the feeling at the 9th annual Stop the Violence celebration in MLK Park. More than 2,000 people gather to stop what they consider senseless violence in Buffalo. Holman started the event for homicide victims and their families. He's experienced loss himself.

"Our father in law was lost. My brother was murdered, so we came out here to do this here," said Holman.

Denise McMiller's son was killed almost three years ago.

"Everybody comes together and they connect. It's not just myself who lost a child, it's other mothers and fathers as well," said McMiller.

You see groups coming together. People coming together like this and putting their differences to the side saying, 'You know we're sorry for our loved ones,'" Holman said.

Family members and friends wore t-shirts with pictures of loved ones they lost. They celebrated their memory by enjoying barbecue and dancing. First responders joined the rally. Buffalo police shared their uniforms with children and the fire department let them hop in the truck.

"We're covered with the first responders. We're all covered," said Holman.

Events like this remind McMiller and her daughter Jamie Revere to keep hope.

"The killer is still at large. Hopefully we will get justice for him soon," McMiller said.

But for now, they'll make sure his memory lives on.

"He was a great father and a great son. We just want justice for him."