We are just 10 days away from this year’s World Day of Remembrance. The theme of this year’s event is ‘Remember. Support. Act.’ We will take time to remember all who have been lost from traffic violence since last year’s World Day of Remembrance (11/19/23) with a focus on the alarming rise in fatal hit-and-runs.

On November 17th, we’ll gather at Carroll Park (5801 Girard Ave.), meeting in the center of the park for a press conference starting at 11:30 AM. Thank you to the Friends of Carroll Park for co-hosting this event and supporting families who have lost loved ones to traffic violence.

Our Advocates:

Jay Alert Leaders: Ayeshia Poole and Jasmine Hoffman have advocated for the Justice of Hit and Run victims everywhere after Ayeshia Poole’s daughter and Jasmine Hoffman’s niece was killed by a hit and run driver in November 2016. Jayanna was 8 years old when she was walking home with her siblings and crossing 63rd and Lansdowne. A driver swerved around a stopped trolley and hit Jayanna and her brother Hassan. The driver was discovered 2 weeks later having taken his car to an auto body shop in Chester County, if not for the employee recognizing the car from a news report it’s possible he would never have been found. Ayeshia and Jasmine have been advocating for Jay Alert legislation to send out an alert after fatal or serious hit and run crashes since 2017. 

Linda Sposato has worked serving victims of impaired driving for 18 years. Linda turned her pain into passion when her 18-year-old daughter was killed in an alcohol related crash. She offers support to DUI victims, providing advocacy in the criminal and civil justice systems, accompanying victims/survivors to court, monthly virtual support group, assisting in applying for crime victim compensation benefits, resources and emotional support.

State Senator Anthony Williams never planned to enter politics. After studying economics at Franklin & Marshall College, he pursued a career in corporate America, eventually launching his own business. But his perspective shifted dramatically during the 1985 MOVE standoff in Philadelphia, when he witnessed the destruction of his childhood neighborhood. Motivated by the challenges facing his community, he pivoted to public service, aiming to address the issues impacting everyday people. Now a state senator, Williams is the lead sponsor of Jay Alert (SB 730), advocating for justice for victims of hit-and-run crashes.

State Representative Morgan Cephas was elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2016. A lifelong public servant and native of West Philadelphia, she focuses on public safety, job security, and expanding access to education and healthcare. She works to create opportunities for youth and women while addressing community challenges through cross-sector partnerships. Cephas is the lead sponsor of Jay Alert (HB 2635), advocating for justice for victims of hit-and-run crashes.

Why Carroll Park? We have chosen to hold this year’s event in Carroll Park because of a slew of recent pedestrian fatalities in the neighborhood. Since January, 4 people have been killed along the 63rd St corridor from Market St. north to Lancaster Ave. We use this event to remember and say the names of everyone who has been killed by traffic violence in the last year, create space to support the victim’s families, and draw attention to the need to build safer streets, enforce current traffic laws, and make our streets safer for people outside of the vehicle. 

Please join us on November 17th at 11:30 am to stand in solidarity with families affected by traffic violence. Together, we can honor their loved ones and demand safer streets for all.

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