The holiday season was already hard enough for David Ivins: the homeless man who was attacked in Wall Township by a 20-year-old, as a 17-year-old laughed and videotaped the attack. If you have not seen it, below is a link to an article with excerpts from the You Tube video. It's painful, but it's something everyone should watch. In the video, the attacker leaves his bleeding victim with the words: "Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah . . . or whatever the f--- you are." http://www.app.com/article/20111219/NJNEWS/312190050/WITH-VIDEO-Pair-charged-beating-homeless-man-Wall-posted-YouTube?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|Frontpage
Because David Ivins was homeless, he was called a "whatever" -- not even a human. Part of our mission is to stop the dehumanization of the homeless. Part of our responsibility is to raise awareness that, given the desperate shortage of affordable housing in NJ, particularly at a time of 9% unemployment, anyone could find themselves with nowhere to go.
We are a new Coalition, but we are already becoming a voice for NJ's homeless and for the need to advocate, educate, organize and otherwise support emergency and permanent solutions to homelessness. A NJTV/PBS segment that aired this week (link below) is just one example of how we are doing so:
12/20/11: NJTV/PBS Story on Attack on Homeless Man and NJ Homelessness
David Ivins should never have been homeless -- let alone kicked when he was down, literally. Anyone who agrees and wants to help the Coalition pursue its mission can: (1) forward the first link below to anyone who has not yet signed up for information about the Coalition; and/or (2) click on the second link below to make a year-end donation:
http://njcoalitionhomeless.org/Sign_Up_For_Info_.html
http://www.njcoalitionhomeless.org/How_to_Donate.html
Happy holidays from the Coalition -- and here's to our continuing to work in 2012, together, to end homelessness in New Jersey.
Following up, David Ivins suffered seizures about five days after his beating. Ivins was in the Belmar Police Station picking up a donated bicycle when he experienced the seizure. He was taken to Jersey Shore University Medical Center. http://www.app.com/article/20111221/NJNEWS/312210077
ReplyDeleteBenefit planned for David Ivins.
ReplyDeleteBELMAR — The E Street Shuffle will host a benefit concert for David Ivins, the homeless man beaten in a wooded section of Wall, at 10:30 p.m. Friday at the 507 Main bar and restaurant. A $10 cover charge will benefit both Ivins and homeless shelters in Monmouth County.
For more information go to:
http://www.app.com/article/20111227/NJNEWS/312270057