When the Elmwood Village organization in Buffalo, New York, convened a debate for the candidates in the citys Democratic mayoral primary, only community organizer India Walton agreed to attend.

Mayor Byron Brown, a four-term incumbent, and challenger LeCandice Durham, a civil servant, declined to participate.

But Waltons team asked the neighborhood group, which hosted the debate via Zoom on June 15, if they could feature empty chairs with nameplates to acknowledge Brown and Durhams absence.

The host even symbolically offered Brown and Durham the chance to respond to questions and deliver closing remarks pausing briefly to highlight the dead air before turning to Walton.

We are ready for change. And I am a transformative and servant leader, Walton said in her final remarks at the debate. This is a radical act of love for me a big risk. But I can feel it in my bones, we can win this thing.