Domestic Violence takes center stage at City Hall Monday. Activists are planning to protest comments made by Buffalo's police commissioner last week amidst a rally this afternoon.
The Crisis Services Advocate Program planned this afternoon's rally in recognition of this being Domestic Violence Awareness Month, hoping to promote awareness and education following last week's murder-suicide in Allentown.
Following the incident, Buffalo Police Commissioner Daniel Derenda told reporters the deadly shooting apparently stemmed from a longtime abusive relationship.
Derenda also added "If she would have left him a while back, maybe we wouldn't be where we are."
Those remarks are drawing criticism from officials with the Erie County Coalition Against Family Violence, who plan to hold a news conference in conjunction with the rally to express their frustration with the commissioner's comments adding to what they call "misconceptions about domestic violence."
The commissioner and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown are scheduled to attend the 3 p.m. rally.