Leaders Call on WNYers to Meet 'City of Good Neighbors' Before Election

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) – Keep the peace. That’s the message from dozens of civic and religious leaders in Western New York ahead of Election Day.

They don’t have the same political views, but they agree on one thing: there is no place for violence. They gathered in Buffalo on Monday to share their message.

“Our message here today is to say that we may not all vote the same, but we can still be good neighbors.” Then Trippithe lead pastor of Restoration Church in Amherst.

“For change to happen, we must be able to see the humanity in each other and talk to each other, listen to each other and build the bridges to create and build the society we know we can have, which is inclusive and is loving. ,” said Kelly Marie Wofford with Impacting Love Global Ministries.

“Over the past year, I have worked hard to ensure that we do not simply give in to the partisanship that has been passed down, or so it is perceived, that we can reach across the aisle and find friends,” said Rabbi Alex Lazarus Klein of Congregation Shir Shalom.

“My faith teaches me that all people are made in the image of God, and that means they are worthy of dignity and worth,” Trippi added. “As I learn to understand where other people are coming from, I think we can see some overlapping interests here. We call on Western New Yorkers to live up to our name: the City of Good Neighbors.”

The group urges our community to set an example of peace. Regardless of who wins the election, they urge everyone to:

Stop and listen to each other’s concerns and try to understand each other
Pause before you act and resist the urge to act impulsively
Spread the message that violence is not okay.