Written by: Riley Roliff
Illustration by: Jillian VanDyke
A film capturing a Cleveland vigil held to bring awareness to those that have lost their lives due to utility shutoffs.
On Tuesday, August 31st, a Cleveland based advocacy group called Utilities For All held a vigil in downtown Cleveland to raise awareness about utility injustice. This past year, at least seven residents of Cuyahoga County who were unable to pay their utility bill lost their lives to hypothermia after city officials shut off their heat and gas utilities. Representatives from various local advocacy groups took turns honoring these individuals, called for an end to utility shutoffs and demanded further accountability from local leaders.