Hundreds fill Jefferson Avenue for 'March for Our Lives'

About 300 people filled the street for the march. Many carried signs. Among them was Sandra Fleming, who said she knew two of the people who were killed at Tops. She carried a sign that said "Protect Kids Not Guns."

Photos: March for Our Lives in Buffalo

"I'm here for all of it," she said, explaining why she wanted to be part of the demonstration.

The march is one of dozens planned today across the country to protest against gun violence.

Ekaete Bailey, one of the organizers of the Buffalo event, said the march has four goals: to honor the victims of the massacre; press lawmakers to ban assault weapons; institute universal background checks for gun buyers; and repeal a federal law that shields gun manufacturers from lawsuits.

"We want to make sure people know why we're doing it," Bailey said.

The march began at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Jefferson and Glenwood avenues. Marchers stopped at the Tops memorial site for a moment of silence.

Deidra EmEl, executive director of the Western New York Peace Center, read the names of the shooting victims with the crowd saying "ashay" after each name.

"Not one more!" people then began to chant.

The crowd gathered in an empty lot across from Tops where speakers urged action on gun safety.

Cat Moores, a student at Nazareth College and an organizer of the march, to the crowd: “We are protecting guns more than we are our lives themselves.” M

EmEl led a chant of “universal background checks now.” She urged the repeal of federal legislation that allows gun manufacturers not to be held accountable for gun violence.

State Sen. Tim Kennedy was among the speakers. 

“We need to use this moment to change America," he said to loud applause. "Are you going to stand up for humanity? Are you going to stand up against racism? … We are doing our part here in Buffalo.”

Then Fragrance Harris Stanfield, who was working at the Tops when the massacre took place, was given the megaphone. Through tears and in a breaking voice, Stanfield said she will be here with the community as it leads a charge toward change.

“You are not alone," the crowd said over and over in support.

Watch now: Poet Jillian Hanesworth at Buffalo's March for Our Lives