Women in Black vigil remembers those whose lives were taken on the streets. On Wednesday, Dec 21, during the longest night of the year, these women will stand vigil for the 21 homeless people who passed away in 2011.
On Wednesday evening, when Winter Solstice brings us the longest night of the year, WHEEL and the Church of Mary Magdalene will host a vigil to remember all the homeless people who died outside or by violence this past year.
The vigils organized by WHEEL and the Church of Mary Magdalene are known as the Women in Black and have occurred over 20 times this year. Their records show that as of mid-November, 23 people died outside in the cold or by violence in King County in 2011. Four of them occurred in Ballard.
The Ballard homeless people were Charles Tompkins, who died of hypothermia near the Ballard Locks; Ken Trygg, whose body was found near a dumpster near Market Street NW; Thomas Mumby, who was found dead in a van near Market Street NW; and Karen Lee Pedersen, who was found near the Ballard Locks.
"This year the death rate among homeless people has remained high and has affected women and people in Ballard at an alarmingly high rate," according to WHEEL.
Among the 23 deaths county-wide were five homeless women, four suicides, and one murder.
All these men and women will be remember during the vigil on Wednesday, which is also National Homeless Persons' Memorial Day as designated by the National Coalition for the Homeless.
The one-hour vigil will take place at Westlake Park, at 4th and Pine, starting at 5 p.m.
A post-vigil gathering will start at 6 p.m. to share stories, food and comfort. The Women in Black will be accompanied by the Chief Medical Examiner for King County, Dr Richard Harruff.
