SPOKANE, Wash. — While most of the city sleeps, a group of Spokane residents is taking to the streets before sunrise, braving freezing temperatures to push for change.
Every morning at 5 a.m., the group departs from City Hall, walking through some of downtown Spokane’s most avoided areas. Their goal: to one day walk these streets without seeing a single person living in homelessness. Until that day comes, they refuse to stop.
The silent march, organized by the Gavin Cooley, CEO of the Spokane Business Association, is meant to send a clear message to city leaders: They believe the current approach to homelessness isn’t working, and it’s time for a new strategy.
“We see a lot of tragic situations—people sleeping in doorways, garbage everywhere, and people bent over using fentanyl,” said Barry Barfield, one of the walkers.
Cooley believes real solutions won’t be found behind closed doors—they require collaboration from all sides. The group includes business owners, service providers, formerly homeless individuals, and advocates from across the political spectrum.
“When you get everyone together—people from different parts of the system—they start sharing information and finding solutions you couldn’t imagine on your own,” Cooley said.
The group has invited city officials to join them, hoping they will witness the crisis firsthand. So far, no city leaders have accepted.
“We are sad that this has become so politically separated—left versus right…we are hoping to inspire the middle,” said Barfield.
If you would like to join the cause you can find more information on the Spokane Business Association website.
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