SPOKANE, Wash. — After 10 years of protesting and advocating, supporters of Spokane homeless activist Alfredo Llamedo are adopting his message to carry to the rest of the community.
Llamedo became a well-known advocate for the local homeless community. As one who once lived on the streets, Llamedo said he knew his life’s work was to help others who were going through similar experiences.
In October 2018, Llamedo was diagnosed with a terminal liver illness that required him to receive hospice care.
“I’ve been through that, and now it’s just that time,” he said.
On Monday he stood in front of Spokane’s City Hall and publicly addressed a group of people, telling them that he was passing on his mission to them.
“I could be gone in the next couple days or week,” he said. "But this isn’t just my message anymore. I’m passing the baton to each and every one of you and your friends. Get out there.”
Llamedo said though he is in his final days, he’s not letting his efforts die.
“The message is going out, and it’s hitting a receiver, whether I see the receivers or not,” he said.
“It’s mind-blowing to see what he’s done to help all the people that really need help,” said Amanda Llemado, Alfredo’s daughter.
Amanda was one of several in the crowd who said they would work to carry Alfredo’s message.
“All the followers and all the friends of his will continue what he’s done,” she said. “All of us, because he’s really opened the eyes of a lot of people.”
She is a part of a team of about 12 others who say they will make sure his work continues.
“It’s a big umbrella of a torch,” said Joan Medina, one of Alfredo’s closest friends. “It includes advocating for the homeless community. It includes serving the homeless community.”
“We’ve got it from here,” said Julie Garcia, another one of Alfredo’s supporters. “We’ve got it from here.”