Next Saturday, March 1st, the disability community will gather across the nation to remember disabled victims of filicide – disabled people murdered by their family members or caregivers.

We gather together on Disability Day of Mourning to honor the lives of people with disabilities who have been killed by parents, relatives or caregivers. Since we gathered in 2024, more than 50 people have lost their lives to filicide. In the past five years, over 542 people with disabilities have been killed. 

The criminal legal system often gives shorter sentences to caregivers and family members who kill disabled people they care for. When the news covers these stories, it often frames violence against disabled people as understandable. But violence against disabled people is not understandable. 

Needing support and care is not a crime. Being disabled is not a crime. And disabled people do not deserve to die at the hands of people who are meant to help us. Violence against people with disabilities should not be treated as less serious than violence against people without disabilities. 

Until the day where violence against people with disabilities is no longer seen as acceptable, we will continue to fight for a better world. We will mourn our dead and fight like hell for our living. Join us for a virtual vigil next Saturday, March 1st.

Since 2012, ASAN and other disability rights organizations have come together to send a clear message that disability is not a justification for violence. Everyone is welcome at our Virtual Vigil, or click here to see a list of all vigils. Feel free to choose one local to you, or plan to join one whose time or platform works best for you.

Autistic Self Advocacy Network

PO Box 66122
Washington, DC 20035

 

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