VIGIL FOR HOMELESS DEATHS

Dear friends of WHEEL/Women in Black:

Twenty years ago the grassroots homeless women’s organizing effort, WHEEL, decided to stand silent Women in Black vigils whenever we learned a homeless person died outside, in a public place, or by violence in King County.  We made the decision because at that time these deaths were treated with victim-blaming contempt, if they were reported at all.  In our first year, we stood just five times, for five people.  We didn’t imagine that over the arc of 20 years the average age of homeless death here would remain shockingly low—around 48 years old.  We couldn’t fathom that 20 years on we would’ve vigilled for well more than one thousand men, women and children.  

But that is the heartbreaking reality.  Including six more beloved people, next Wednesday’s Women in Black vigil will mark 1,122 outdoor/public or violent homeless deaths in King County in the past 20 years. 

From an updated list of presumed-homeless deaths received earlier this week, we learned at least six homeless people died outside of shelter, in public, or by violence just in June.  From noon to 1 PM next Wednesday, July 15th, we’ll facilitate our silent vigil and Call to Action on the steps of Seattle City Hall at 4th/James.  We’ll be remembering: 

**Joseph Felicetti, 46, died by OD at 2000 block 3rd Ave S on 6/9.

**James Perkins, 66, died of natural causes at Stone Way/N 45th on 6/10.

**Michael Ryan, 26, airlifted from Tacoma to HMC; died by immolation suicide on 6/14.

**William Northington, 48, died by OD at 8th/Roy on 6/17.

**Richard Schultz, 78, died of natural causes at S 120th/Military Rd S on 6/20.

**William Bissig, 51, died of natural causes at a Redmond KFC on 6/28. 

1,122 deaths over 20 years demand recognition, remembrance, and action.  WHEEL/Women in Black reaffirm our commitment to working towards housing, shelter, dignity and justice.  PLEASE JOIN OUR VIGIL NEXT WEEK, AND JOIN US IN LOVE, GRIEF, ANGER AND ACTION.   

WHEEL/Women in Black

(206) 956-0334

wheelorg@yahoo.com

Homeless Remembrance Project and WHEELforWomen on Facebook

Note:  This year’s known number outdoor/public/violent homeless deaths now stands at 48 (of 71 names on the y-t-d King County Medical Examiners Office list of presumed-homeless deaths).  We are grateful to the King County Medical Examiners for their compassionate work with us over nearly two decades."