Disability Rights California - Peer/self-Advocacy Unit Statement

Peer/Self-Advocacy Unit (P/SA)

Remembrance Day 2007

Moment of silence statewide observed on September 17 to honor people who died in state institutions and developmental centers

Remembrance Day 9/17/2007Shown here is the group meeting in Ukiah for this year's Remembrance Day, organized by the California Memorial Project. The project, supported by the Department of Mental Health, is jointly administered by three groups: the California Network of Mental Health Clients, People First of California, and Protection & Advocacy, Inc.

Rob Chittenden, coordinator of PAI's Peer/Self-Advocacy unit, reported that attendance was great at this year's ceremonies - Metropolitan State Hospital, 75; Stockton State Hospital, 150; Agnews Developmental Center, 200; Napa State Hospital, 70; Mendocino State Hospital, 50; Patton State Hospital, 60; and Sonoma Developmental Center, 80.

September 17 — a day to honor people who died in California’s state psychiatric hospitals and developmental centers

Events for the 5th annual Remembrance Day will be held throughout the state to honor the thousands of people who lived and died, often anonymously, at state institutions. Ceremonies featuring remembrances, poems, songs, a moment of silence and light refreshments will be held at seven sites.

The ceremonies are organized by the California Memorial Project, which is a collaboration of three groups: California Network of Mental Health Clients, People First of California and Protection & Advocacy, Inc. The project receives modest funding from the State Department of Mental Health to organize annual remembrances, restore of institutional cemeteries and preserve oral histories of people who died while in state institutions.

Participating facilities on September 17 are: Napa State Hospital, Stockton Developmental Center, Ukiah Valley Cemetery, Agnews Developmental Center ( San Jose), Patton State Hospital ( San Bernardino), Metro State Hospital ( Los Angeles) and Sonoma Developmental Center (Glen Ellen).

All are welcome

Everyone is welcome to attend these events, especially those who have a relative, spouse or friend who died in a state institution or who may still be residing in an institution. Also welcome are representatives of other disability advocacy groups or individuals who just want to know more about the California Memorial Project.

More information about events

Details about plans for the day, including the times for the different ceremonies, available from Alicia Mendoza of PAI (916.488.7787); Willyum Waters of the California Network of Mental Health Clients (916.613.2976); and Linda Thompson of People First (760.945.7663)