The city of Buffalo is banding together in a week of remembrance and solidarity, marking three years since the devastating shooting at Allina Crossroads Clinic on February 9, 2021. Buffalo Strong Week, which kicked off on February 4 and runs until February 9, sees the Wright County Justice Center aglow with purple lights each night, a poignant homage to the victims.
Visible to those traveling on Hwy. 25 north of Buffalo, the purple illumination serves not only to remember those lost and impacted by the tragedy but also to visibly redefine the community's shared trauma into a shared strength. In a gesture meant to unify, the purple lights — symbolizing purpose and spirit — aim to gently remind all to hold fast to community and resiliency.
Residents looking for more information on the week's events and ways in which they can participate or contribute can find resources on the Buffalo Strong website. The site details the various activities and initiatives taking place throughout the week, designed to foster community healing and togetherness in the face of past violence.
The decision to bathe the Justice Center in purple comes from a desire not just to commemorate, but to also symbolically cleanse the weight of grief that has, at times, seemed to heavily hang over the city. It is a gesture that speaks to the spirit of Buffalo — a place where even in the harshest of winters, the warmth of its people's resolve has the power to shine through.
