Police say they received a call at 2:51 from the Occupy OKC encampment at Kerr Park reporting a dead body. Protesters tell OKC.NET that the deceased is a young homeless man from Florida who went by the name “Street Poet”. As of now his full name and cause of death have not been released. Police have launched an investigation.
UPDATE: 5:35 pm Monday- Occupy OKC posted the following statement on their facebook page:
“ALL EVENTS TONIGHT FOR OCCUPY OKC ARE CANCELLED. We are taking today to remember our friend and comrade lost to us over the night. Let’s be respectful tonight and have a quiet remembrance.”
UPDATE: 6:30 pm Monday- Official press release from Occupy OKC:
“Occupy OKC is saddened by the passing of one of the participants camping at Kerr Park in Oklahoma City earlier this afternoon. Known simply as “The Poet,†he was a very friendly and outgoing person. Known to be homeless, Occupy OKC provided him with food, clothing, and shelter. At a Candlelight Vigil last night to honor first responders, The Poet delivered a powerful poetic commentary about the complexities of homelessness and drug abuse, and the system’s failure to adequately deal with these issues. The Poet was found dead in his tent at Kerr Park earlier this afternoon by other participants. Police and emergency personnel were immediately contacted. Occupy OKC is withholding information concerning The Poet’s identity pending notification of his family by authorities. Police are currently at the scene investigating his cause of death which is presently unknown and Occupy OKC is in full cooperation with their investigation. Occupy OKC has been actively cooperating with the Oklahoma City Police Department to ensure the safety of all participants at the Kerr Park occupation.
All Occupy OKC scheduled events for today have been cancelled.
The participants of Occupy OKC wish to extend their deepest sympathy and compassion to the family of The Poet.”
UPDATE 3:15 AM Tuesday- Video of Street Poet performing, shot by his friends at the park.
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We will have more information on this as it unfolds.
I’m from Occupy Everett (WA), and am very sorry to hear that your young man, The Poet is dead. I send my thoughts and best wishes to you all, and I hope everything works out well for you. Go in peace and love!
http://www.occupyeverett.com
Thank you, Occupy Everett. I can tell you from knowing the Poet as closely as I have, that he found his purpose, home and family here with us at OccupyOKC. Poet was, as I told him many times a day, “a life full of potential”. All of our hearts are broken tonight for our sweet brother. Thank you again for your kind words. ~Heidi
I wanna second Heidi’s words. Thank you Occupy Everett. Love and solidarity. Also, much love Heidi. I think you’re right that, for his too short time on site, he found an honest home with us. Too short. He could have burned bright for so, so much longer… In the end though, that’s a testament to the energy and vitality of his persona. The fact that all of us saw this kid and thought “Damn, but the light of his liveliness could light the dawning day…” and then reacted to the darkness of his absence with such dismay… I’m going to miss that wacko, wonderful man…
He finally found a true home and family, which allowed him to leave the suffering behind and go in peace. He will definitely be missed !!
Sending prayers to all.