For immediate release: Lawsuit filed

Concerned residents and community advocates sue over non-compliance with local and state regulations for police training facility & shooting range on the East Side of Buffalo.

Liberation for One, Liberation for All ("LOLA") and 4 concerned residents have brought an action asking the State Supreme Court to overturn the zoning, financing, and land use actions taken to convert a community center and park to a police training center and firing range.

"Both OSHA and the CDC have issued extensive documentation on the environmental risks of firing ranges," said Fatima Nor, a community organizer with LOLA who has a background in Public Health. "But the City simply said the project would pose no environmental risks and did no review before taking steps to allow the project. The very real and serious impacts of an improper environmental review will affect all residents in Buffalo, especially those living closest to the facility."

Those impacts include potential contamination from lead and other chemicals not only being discharged from the planned facility, but on the clothing and equipment of trainees. This is why OSHA recommends cleaning clothing and gear, and showering, after being at a firing range. “I’m worried about my kids. My kids don’t need to be exposed to lead and the sounds of gun fire all day. Why can’t the building be funded as a community center the way it used to be?” said one petitioner who lives around the corner from the proposed facility.

The action also points out that the location of the planned firing range is a former city park and has historically been a space where community and neighbors have gathered and received resources.

"This property is rightfully a park. It would take an act of the state legislature for this site to not be considered a park anymore and that was never done” said Alia Williams, a community organizer with LOLA. “The building was previously a community center and residents still have the memory of it being a community resource and want it to remain as such - we believe fighting for it to remain a peaceful place of recreation and gathering is important and worth the fight.”

The group also discovered, while researching its position, that the bonds financing the project were based on misleading legislation. The city resolution passed in March 2025, dedicating the funding, claimed all environmental assessment was done. This was untrue, and community advocates later found out that the required environmental assessment wasn't passed by the City until September 2, 2025.

The City didn't even consider the impact of the increased traffic in the area, although they admitted it would be a factor. They also didn't receive or require any detailed plans showing how the noise would be mitigated, and the documents they did submit said the gunshots would be audible during daytime hours.

The organization was gratified to find four courageous residents who took the time and care to learn about the concerns and join the case. These residents have courage. They want a safe and supportive neighborhood. They chose this community for its resources and close-knit nature. They are looking to City leadership to do the right thing and stop this project.

For more information or requests for comment, contact lola.buffalo716@gmail.com.