YWCA Olympia is deeply saddened and disturbed by the death of Vaneesa L. Hopson after being “chemically restrained” by Olympia paramedics in the early morning of February 7, 2018. Vaneesa’s tragic death highlights the intersections of gendered violence, class, policing, and the use of excessive force against individuals with substance use and/or mental health challenges. While this incident did not involve a shooting, it is important to note that one third of people shot by the police were experiencing a mental health crisis.
Today at YWCA, we wondered how different this situation would have been if we had systems and first responders trained to respond in a survivor centered, trauma-informed manner. We thought about how differently this could have turned out if our first responders were trained in methods and approaches that prioritize human rights. Unfortunately, Vaneesa was faced with a system that is outright hostile by design in the way it responds by harming individuals who are vulnerable, traumatized, and experience mental illness. Vaneesa has become another victim of a system unwilling to change, with no mechanisms for true accountability.
YWCA Olympia has concerns about an investigation into Vaneesa’s death that does not prioritize independence from our local policing agencies. We call on the Olympia community to continue to advocate for an independent citizen review committee to oversee law enforcement / first responders and push for transparency and accountability. We also continue to advocate for increased police training for de-escalation, mental health, and first aid. These measures are imperative to decrease the likelihood of another incident of state-sanctioned violence in our community. These escalated situations are mitigated primarily through building supportive relationships and trust in the communities we live in and serve. We encourage law enforcement and first responders to meet the organizations and individuals listed below, hear about what we are doing, why it works, and draw on community leaders to support you through this investigation process and planning to ensure this never happens again.
YWCA Olympia
Malika Lamont, Full Circle United
Heather Penny, Full Circle United
Naima Lowe, Full Circle United
Crystal Chaplin, Justice for André & Bryson
Jasmine Thompson, Justice for André & Bryson
Richard Chippo, Justice for André & Bryson
André Thompson, Justice for André & Bryson
Bryson Chaplin, Justice for André & Bryson
Lisa Ganser, Idriss Stelley Foundation, POOR Magazine, Olympia Copwatch
Nomy Lamm, Sins Invalid
Meg Martin, MSW
Sarah Stockholm, Olympia SURJ
Christa Lenssen, Olympia SURJ
Kayla Mahnke, Olympia SURJ
Madeline Weltcheck, Olympia SURJ
Emily Pieper, Olympia SURJ
Mara Brennan-Magidson, Olympia SURJ
Quinn Russell, MS, LMHCA
Sfirah Madrone, MA, LMHCA
Marin Fahey, MA, LMFTA
Katie Kemp, MA, LMFTA
Elizabeth Winter Forsyth, CCMA
Sofi Harnish, CCMA
Lindsay Solise, CCMA
Marian Gonzales, MA, LMHC
Patrick Barmes, MA, CMHC
Keylee Marineau, MA
Leslie Cushman, JD, Olympia Coalition to Reform Deadly Force Laws
Lisa Brodoff, Olympia Coalition to Reform Deadly Force Laws
Jim Bamberger, Olympia Coalition to Reform Deadly Force Laws
Caroline Lacey, Olympia Coalition to Reform Deadly Force Laws
Lynn Grotsky, LICSW, Olympia Coalition to Reform Deadly Force Laws
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