This week, a tragedy in Atlanta reminds us of the urgent need for compassion and justice for our unhoused neighbors. Cornelius Taylor, a man experiencing homelessness, was tragically killed when his tent was bulldozed during a city sweep. This horrific incident is a devastating reminder of the dehumanizing impact of public encampment sweeps.
As we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy this coming week, let us reflect on his vision of a Beloved Community—one rooted in equity, justice, and compassion. Sweeping people away without alternatives is not justice; it is a systemic failure that perpetuates trauma, destroys lives, and prioritizes aesthetics over humanity.
The Injustice of Sweeps
Public sweeps are more than disruptive; they are dangerous and dehumanizing:
• Lives are destroyed when people’s belongings, including vital documents, are confiscated or destroyed.
• Communities are displaced with no real alternatives, forcing people to start over with nothing.
• Trauma is compounded, as individuals are uprooted without clinical or caseworker support.
• Lives are lost, as in Cornelius Taylor’s case.
Dr. King’s words remind us that “we are tied together in an inescapable garment of destiny.” To sweep people away is to deny their humanity and our interconnectedness.
A Call to Action in Whatcom County
In Whatcom County, the upcoming encampment clearing on Bakerview Road has the potential to displace and further endanger dozens of individuals. While the Bellingham Severe Weather Shelter will open from January 17th–22nd, this is not enough. Over 1,000 people remain unsheltered in our county, and our current shelter capacity falls far short of meeting this urgent need.
We are calling on local leaders to take immediate action:
1. Open the Severe Weather Shelter for 14 consecutive days starting January 17th to provide immediate relief during and after the encampment clearing.
2. Raise the activation threshold to 40°F including wind chill to ensure no one is left in life-threatening cold conditions.
3. Expand shelter capacity and plan for Winter 2025 now, addressing the long-term needs of our community.
4. Relax or expedite permitting requirements to allow shelters to operate continuously when necessary.
Honoring MLK’s Legacy Through Action
This MLK Day, let us commit to embodying the principles of justice and compassion that Dr. King championed. Every person deserves dignity, shelter, and safety—regardless of whether they have a physical address. We cannot stand idly by while lives are lost to preventable tragedies.
We must declare, boldly and unequivocally, that no life is disposable.
Thank you to the 740 supporters who have already joined this movement. Please continue to share the petition, contact local leaders, and advocate for compassionate solutions. Together, we can ensure that Whatcom County lives up to the vision of a Beloved Community where every person is valued, seen, and heard.
Take Action Now:
Email local leaders:
• Satpal Sidhu (County Executive): ssidhu@co.whatcom.wa.us
• Whatcom County Council: council@co.whatcom.wa.us
• Mayor Kim Lund: mayorsoffice@cob.org
• Severe Weather Shelter Team: wintershelter@whatcomcounty.us
Sign and share the petition: https://www.change.org/WhatcomWinterShelter
Together, we can create change and ensure no one is left out in the cold.
With Gratitude,
Tukayote Helianthus