Dear Friends of WHEEL, Women in Black & the Homeless Remembrance Project:
A dozen of us, including photographer/activist Rex Hohlbein, who’d known and photographed William “Three Stars” Kaphaem well, stood vigil yesterday. Our hearts were heavy with our community’s losses: The updated Y-T-D Medical Examiners list of presumed-homeless deaths (through late August) had arrived. From this list, and news reports, we know at least SEVEN more homeless women and men have died outside, in a public place, or by violence this year, just in August.
This means at least 82 homeless people have died this way in King County already this year (of 117 homeless deaths altogether)—a record.
From noon to 1 PM Wednesday, September 11th, we’ll stand vigil again outside the Seattle Justice Center (5th/Cherry), to honor and remember:
**Bruce Dixon, 66, found in Sedro Wooley and died at HMC of blunt force head injuries (accident) 8/3.
**Randy Rhynalds, 63, died of acute drug intoxication at 2nd Ave Ext S/S Jackson on 8/9.
**David Daly-Ritchie, 40, found in an unknown location, died at HMC on 8/21; cause pending.
**Dennis Bangura, 56, found at 500 5th Ave/died at HMC of skull fractures (accident) on 8/22.
**Randall Hammerer, 52, died by suicide at Pier 69 on 8/24.
**Heidi Brooks, 33, found at the Brown Crerek Campground in Hoodsport and died at HMC on 8/25; cause pending.
**As-yet unidentified presumed-homeless man, Caucasian, 5’5”, who died by homicide in Renton on 8/27. https://www.rentonreporter.
DIRECTLY AFTER OUR SEPTEMBER 11th VIGIL, THE HOMELESS REMEMBRANCE PROJECT WILL BE DEDICATING SIX NEW BRONZE LEAVES OF REMEMBRANCE AT THIS SITE— for Reece Manderson, Noel Gaitho, Brandon Scott Parrish, John Logan & Scott Allerhand. A brief, meaningful ritual led by Rev. Pat Simpson will be followed by an informal reception, with food and fellowship. We’ll be joined by family members from across the country for this Dedication. Please join us!
Thanks again for your solidarity and witness.
WHEEL/Women in Black
(206) 956-0334
wheelorg@yahoo.com
https://www.facebook.com/