This Sunday: World Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil

Denver Announces World Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil and Temporary Art Installation in Civic Center Park

DENVER – Representatives of the Denver Streets Partnership, City and County of Denver, and Denver City Council invite the public to a candlelight vigil on Sunday, November 17, in Civic Center Park to honor victims of traffic crashes in Denver. The vigil coincides with the United Nations World Day of Remembrance for victims of road traffic crashes and their families – a day adopted by UN resolution in 2005.

235 people have been killed in traffic crashes since Denver announced its commitment to becoming a Vision Zero city in 2016. Each of those people will be honored with a candle at Sunday’s vigil. In 2017, Denver adopted a Vision Zero Action Plan with the goal of eliminating fatal and serious injury crashes by 2030 and is accelerating implementation of the plan with actions that include:

· Implementing safety treatments at intersections to calm traffic and shorten crossing distances for pedestrians.

· Reducing speeds limits

· Enhancing street lighting to increase visibility

· Building an enhanced bicycle network, providing people with comfortable and dedicated spaces to ride.

· Giving buses their own dedicated lanes to reduce conflicts with cars and make busy corridors better organized and travel more predictable.

· Installation of high visibility crosswalks in the downtown business district

The fundamental principles of Denver’s Vision Zero Action Plan require changes to Denver streets to prioritize safety for all. These principles include acknowledging that traffic deaths and severe injuries are preventable; that human error is inevitable and transportation systems should be forgiving; and recognizing speed as the fundamental factor in crash severity.

While Denver is working to make improvements that reinforce safe speeds and safer streets, it implores drivers and other travelers to contribute to the solution by supporting these safety projects and practicing and encouraging a culture of safety that slows down, eliminates distractions, drives sober, wears seatbelts, and follows the rules of the road.

A temporary memorial for World Day of Remembrance to honor victims of traffic crashes and their families at Civic Center Park will be installed on the morning of Sunday, November 17, and will remain up for approximately one week. This Vision Zero art installation is sponsored by the City and County of Denver, Denver City Councilwoman Debbie Ortega, Denver Streets Partnership, and Civic Center Conservancy. The art was designed by Joe Wood and Kayla Gilbert.

World Day of Remembrance Candlelight Vigil

When: Sunday, November 17, 5-6pm

Where: Civic Center Park, Voorhies Memorial

· Welcoming Remarks from Denver Streets Partnership

· Remarks from Families of Crash Victims

· Lighting of Candles by Denver City Council members and other leaders

· Moment of Silence

· Remarks from Denver Public Works Executive Director Eulois Cleckley

· Remarks from Denver Police Chief Paul Pazen

· Information about the Temporary Art Installation

· Attendee pledge: “I say YES to safer streets” (attached)

· Invitation to interact with Temporary Art Installation