FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Joint Press Release from the Office of Councilwoman Melissa Mark Viverito and Picture the Homeless, www.picturethehomeless.org, 646 314 6423.— October 5, 2007
HOMELESSNESS KILLS: Homeless Resident of East Harlem Set on Fire by Unknown Assailant(s) Struggles for His Life
Felix Najera fights for his life with burns over 75% of his body and his attacker(s) remain on the loose. Felix is a resident of East Harlem, and although he is homeless, he is a member of our East Harlem community.
"Today is truly a sad day. I am appalled and horrified at the actions of the assailant(s). What does it say about us as a society when those who are the most vulnerable are viewed as dispensable and not worthy of our respect or care? Our homeless too often become the victims of the cruelty of humanity and I ask everyone to join me in denouncing this heinous act. Felix was a neighbor to all of us and a friend--the suffering he is enduring as a result of this act should pain and horrify anyone who hears this story, and mobilize us to action. I ask that you join me in a vigil service to reflect on what has occurred. Let us all keep Felix in our thoughts. " Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito
Today Felix struggles to survive this brutal attack, he struggles to not add his life to a long list of homeless people beaten, or set on fire, or raped, just because they were homeless. Felix was known and liked by his neighbors and was a fixture at Bethany Christian Church. A prayer vigil will be held at the 103rd Street Community Garden on Park Avenue on Friday, October 12th, at 6:00 PM to give our community an opportunity to pray for Felix and to also pray for ourselves– to heal and to vow that all life be respected, even the poorest among us, and to commit to ending homelessness.
"I was both hurt and saddened when I first learned of homeless Felix. To think that another one of our family was injured in such a manner is just appalling. Felix will remain in my prayers." Ryan, formerly a street homeless New Yorker and leader of Picture the Homeless.
Our community, East Harlem, has one of the highest rates of homeless families going into the shelter system. Rents are skyrocketing here. Many of us are being pushed out of the neighborhood, some right onto the streets. We need to educate our community that the people sleeping on our streets are our neighbors and family members, they are not garbage or the targets of abuse.
Please join us at our prayer vigil for Felix. It is time to come together as a community, and to fight the conditions that lead to poverty and homelessness – not to attack our homeless brothers and sisters physically or with misguided policies that have led to the highest rate of homelessness in our cities' history.
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Joint Press Release from the Office of Councilwoman Melissa Mark Viverito and Picture the Homeless, www.picturethehomeless.org, 646 314 6423.— October 5, 2007
HOMELESSNESS KILLS: Homeless Resident of East Harlem Set on Fire by Unknown Assailant(s) Struggles for His Life
Felix Najera fights for his life with burns over 75% of his body and his attacker(s) remain on the loose. Felix is a resident of East Harlem, and although he is homeless, he is a member of our East Harlem community.
"Today is truly a sad day. I am appalled and horrified at the actions of the assailant(s). What does it say about us as a society when those who are the most vulnerable are viewed as dispensable and not worthy of our respect or care? Our homeless too often become the victims of the cruelty of humanity and I ask everyone to join me in denouncing this heinous act. Felix was a neighbor to all of us and a friend--the suffering he is enduring as a result of this act should pain and horrify anyone who hears this story, and mobilize us to action. I ask that you join me in a vigil service to reflect on what has occurred. Let us all keep Felix in our thoughts. " Councilwoman Melissa Mark-Viverito
Today Felix struggles to survive this brutal attack, he struggles to not add his life to a long list of homeless people beaten, or set on fire, or raped, just because they were homeless. Felix was known and liked by his neighbors and was a fixture at Bethany Christian Church. A prayer vigil will be held at the 103rd Street Community Garden on Park Avenue on Friday, October 12th, at 6:00 PM to give our community an opportunity to pray for Felix and to also pray for ourselves– to heal and to vow that all life be respected, even the poorest among us, and to commit to ending homelessness.
"I was both hurt and saddened when I first learned of homeless Felix. To think that another one of our family was injured in such a manner is just appalling. Felix will remain in my prayers." Ryan, formerly a street homeless New Yorker and leader of Picture the Homeless.
Our community, East Harlem, has one of the highest rates of homeless families going into the shelter system. Rents are skyrocketing here. Many of us are being pushed out of the neighborhood, some right onto the streets. We need to educate our community that the people sleeping on our streets are our neighbors and family members, they are not garbage or the targets of abuse.
Please join us at our prayer vigil for Felix. It is time to come together as a community, and to fight the conditions that lead to poverty and homelessness – not to attack our homeless brothers and sisters physically or with misguided policies that have led to the highest rate of homelessness in our cities' history.
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