Washington — A former Buffalo Fire Department commissioner, whose mother, 86, was shot to death at a Buffalo grocery store last month, demanded that senators address domestic terrorism. He asked if there is anything he personally could do to stop extremist ideology spreading, which has been the source of many violent attacks in recent times.
“You expect us just to forgive and forget over-and-over again.” What are you doing? Garnell Whitfield Jr. asked the question. His mother Ruth Whitfield was one of the 10 victims killed and wounded in the attack on Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo, May 14. “You were elected to protect us and our way of living. As you gaze at mine, I ask you to picture the faces of your mothers and ask yourself: “Is there anything we can do?”
Whitfield was a witness before the Senate Judiciary Committee during a hearing about the domestic terrorist threat that has grown following the massacre at Buffalo. Whitfield noted federal law enforcement’s assessment that white supremacy was the most serious domestic threat. He lamented that “nothing has ever been done to reduce it or eliminate it”.
“Is there anything you would do personally to end the evils of white supremacy? And the domestic terrorism that it inspires?” He asked the panel. “Because there is nothing, then respectfully senators, you should give your positions of authority to those who are willing to lead this issue. It is urgent that we do not accept less.
The massacre at Buffalo, Texas’ elementary school, last month, and the subsequent mass shooting at Uvalde Elementary School in Texas 10 days later mobilized Democrats in Congress. They demanded that Congress take action to change gun laws in the country and fight domestic terrorism. These efforts included the hearing of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which featured testimony from security and constitutional experts.
It’s not clear if Republicans and Democrats will be able to come together around a legislative plan that would bolster efforts against domestic terrorism. Last week, the Senate failed to pass a bill that would have required the FBI, Justice Department, and Department of Homeland Security open offices to combat domestic terrorism. It also created a task force to address white superiority in the U.S. military. After the Buffalo shooting, the Democratic-led House passed the bill.
Payton Gendron (18 years old), the accused gunman in Tops’ massacre, is self-described as a white supremacist and is believed to have written online about his plans and racist motivations before the attack.
Investigators believe the suspect drove three hours to Conklin, New York to attack Black residents of the predominantly African-American neighborhood. Gendron was indicted by the state for domestic terrorism motivated with hate and 10 counts first-degree murder. Gendron pleaded not guilty in the face of a 25-count grand jury indictment.
Whitfield, in his opening remarks to the Senate Judiciary Panel, paid tribute to his mother. He said that it was “impossible for me to understand” and that it is “hard to live with”.
“But we are more than hurt. We’re angry. He said that we are mad because it should never have happened. “We’re good citizens, good people. We believe in God and trust God. This was not an act by God. It was an act by a person and he didn’t act alone. White supremacists radicalized him, whose hatred and anger metastasized like cancer to people high up shouting that Black people would take their jobs and opportunity away.
Whitfield stated that lawmakers must hold those who promote extremist ideologies or racist beliefs responsible in order to eradicate domestic terrorism.
“White supremacy, it is a problem and this young man pulled the trigger but others loaded the gun. Others fed him. He said that others had radicalized him.”
Dick Durbin (a Democrat from Illinois) was the chairman of the committee. He stated that acts of domestic terrorism were part of a larger pattern within the country. The video featured clips from Fox News and most of them had comments by Tucker Carlson.
“White supremacist violence is sweeping across America,” Durbin said. This trend raises the obvious question: Why are things getting worse? Durbin stated that hate is omnipresent in America.
Whitfield urged the Senate to act to combat domestic terrorism. He said that he had encountered racism throughout his life and that it should not be overlooked.
“We are not here to request favors. This is not something we are here to discuss. He said that this didn’t begin with the passing of my mother. This has been happening my entire life. I was born Black, and I have been treated differently since the day I was brought up in this country. It’s high time that we recognize this. We can’t ignore it.
