Community protests Mandella Market after alleged assault of customer

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — An alleged incident between employees and a customer at a market Tuesday night on Buffalo’s East Side has sparked outrage in the community. Neighbors gathered to protest the store on Wednesday.

The city has taped a cease all operations sign to the door of Mandella Market at the corner of Jefferson and Broadway. Outside of the market, residents gathered, demanding answers following this alleged incident.

Witnesses say an alleged incident occurred Tuesday night at Mandella Market on Jefferson and Broadway between store employees and a customer.

“Beating a young black lady, about 125 pounds, with a stick while four other guys or five other guys were holding her with her arms outstretched,” said Community Activist Nate Boyd.

That’s what witnesses say allegedly happened before one of them stepped in to help.

“Seven to ten men in the store total attacking her, three that I stopped,” said witness Jaelin Watson.

Buffalo police say officers responded to a trespassing call around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. At this time, no police report has been filed but detectives are investigating.

Less than 24 hours later, a protest was held outside of the market where witnesses and neighbors spoke out in support of the alleged victim.

“I had to step in and intervene ’cause it wasn’t right, it wasn’t fair, it was unjust and I had to say something,” said Watson. “I couldn’t just walk away from it.”

“Certain people have disrespected our women in our community,” said Murray Holman, executive director of the Stop the Violence Coalition. “We’re not gonna tolerate that.”

Buffalo Common Councilwoman Leah Halton-Pope says it was important that she be there for her community after she learned what allegedly happened.

“We don’t have all the facts but if you’re creating an unsafe environment from our community that’s not okay,” she said. “That’s not safe, it’s not alright at all by any stretch of the imagination. People should be able to come into any store to shop.”

Community activists say they want to see their community uplifted and supported.

“Not enough attention is being given to the conditions in these stores and what’s taking place in the Black community,” said Tiniqua Simmons, a community activist.

“We are human beings, and we need to be treated as such,” said Pastor Tim Newkirk of GYC Ministries and the CEO of the Community Action Coalition of WNY. “Anything that happens to our community, we are responsible for. We have to govern our own community, it’s time we stand up and be the gatekeepers for our community. We are the most underserved community in the City of Buffalo.”

An investigation into the alleged incident remains ongoing.