Hundreds of people gathered together for a vigil that took place at Manhattans Union Square Park. The event was organized by "Family for Safe Streets" and New York "Transportation Alternatives" in honor of victims of traffic violence in New York City. We came to remember son, brother, friend, Ryo Oyamada who two years ago was struck down and killed by a N.Y.P.D. patrol car while he crossing 40th Ave in Queens. The patrol car was speeding down the residential street with no top lights or sirens on. We also came to support and build solidarity with the families of the literally thousands of other victims of traffic violence in New York City.
Six months into 2015 their has already been more than 23,465 pedestrians and cyclists severely injured or killed in NYC by preventable crashes involving motor vehicles. One flower on the gurney in the photo above for each victim so far in 2015. "Family for Safe Streets" and "Transportation Alternatives" is working on a plan called "Vision Zero" to create enforceable laws that will help make us all safer.
Franci Brenner who liven in Texas, lost her only son last year, her son Matt was DJ and working for a design company in Brooklyn, NY. Her son Matthew Brenner, stage name Count Stackswell was 27 years old when he was riding his bicycle in Brooklyn and was stuck and killed by an automobile. The driver still has not been charged. Franci Brannier came to the New York City Family for Safe Streets Vigil in Union Square this week and brought with her and an amazing gift and act of solidarity to the Oyamada family. We promptly installed Ms. Brannier’s gift at Ryo’s Crash site. (Picture above.)