Community Activist Harry Wieder Killed By Taxi

Harry Wieder, an LGBT rights, transportation, and disabilities advocate, was run down and killed by a taxi last night in the LES. Weider, 57, described himself on his Facebook page as a "disabled, gay, Jewish, leftist, middle aged dwarf who ambulates with crutches." He was crossing Essex Street after leaving a Community Board 3 monthly meeting at P.S. 20 when he was struck by the cab. Many colleagues witnessed the accident and accompanied him to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

District manager Susan Stetzer described the scene after the meeting: "His car was parked across the street. It was as laborious for him to walk. For him to walk to the corner and cross the street would have been extremely difficult. He was crossing the street in the middle of the block. The cab driver was very distraught."

Wieder first came to prominence in the 1980s with the activist group Act-Up. He was profiled in Betty Adelsen’s 2005 book, The Lives of Dwarfs: Their Journey from Public Curiosity Toward Social Liberation, and also written about by Jimmy Breslin for Newsday, who captured his "combative, roguish nature and his penchant for truth.”

Despite having difficulty walking, and living in a home for the deaf, he was an active fixture at community board meetings, rallies and events, and became well known to local politicians. Community Board 3 Chairman Dominic Pisciotta wrote in an e-mail early this morning after the incident, “I will miss Harry terribly. He contributed so much to the board, and you could always count on him being at nearly every meeting. He loved serving the community, and most of all fighting for it...He had a big impact on his community. That’s why his loss will be really felt by people, because he was so intensely engaged with the community.”

And Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer said, "I was extremely saddened to learn about the tragic circumstances surrounding the death of Harry Wieder, a longtime advocate and member of Community Board 3. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. He leaves behind a huge void in the communities he served. How terrible that someone who worked to improve transportation for all was struck by a taxi. We can honor his life by continuing to fight for safer roads, and furthering his legacy of equality and access for all."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Ben Yakas in News on April 28, 2010 5:37 PM

Comments [rss]

Lou Holtzman

He was the best,no B.S. From Harry. Used to sit with him in Congee Village. He was such a great help when the Tenement Museum tried to use eminent domain to steal our property.The Holtzman's loved Harry. R.I.P.

ides_of_march

Sorry to see anybody die tragically as this but this guy was one political correctness bonanza. A pc gold mine.

JenChungsBaby

No surprise then that his censorious friends are censoring comments.

Urania

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JenChungsBaby

And what's your point? Nothing I've written violated the terms of service. Gothamist is free to remove stuff as it sees fit, I don't dispute that.

Did you notice the part about striving to maintain an atmosphere of free and open conversation?

Urania

Commenter number 8---how are you contributing to this story? Did you know Harry? Your comment is insensitive. To the writer of the blog: Comments like this do not belong with a story about a great community activist. Exercise your editorial muscles, please.

Urania

Thanks for seeing that that comment from user "Jenchungsbaby" was not appropriate. SonnyBobiche is also pretty borderline. People, what gives? A person is dead, show some respect. Would you actually say things like this in person? Or is it OK to hide behind your computer screen. Have some sympathy for the dead, and for his family and friends, who actually witnessed him being killed.

JenChungsBaby

I didn't write anything about this guy in particular, and I bet he would laugh at it if he could. If you're looking for a memorial service then you came to the wrong place.

Urania

Your comment was inappropriate for the blog posting. End of story. And actually, no he wouldn't laugh at a joke like that. You didn't know him, so you're the one who is not only out of line, but in the wrong place.

JenChungsBaby

You got a good joke about gay hairy dwarfs removed. Happy now?

Punchline: They're called "cubs."

ridgeside

I wish i could of read your joke, from the punch line it sounded quite funny.To Uraina: Anyone who hits the "report this" needs your eyes poked out. If you don't like a comment either bitch to the commentor about it or pass on by, don't raise your hand and cry to the teacher.

Urania

Save it for the Onion. Wait, actually, they're a lot funnier than you.

Manitoba

Sad. This seems like another indication that the city really should lower the speed limit on all non-highway roads in New York (at least Manhattan).

While jaywalking is wrong, it should not result in someone being killed by a car.... the speed limit should be 20mph max; I know you can still be killed at such a speed, but the likelihood of a driver being able to see and stop in time is greatly increased.

Whenever communities lose activists such as this man, it makes me sad. Who will replace them?

SonnyBobiche

As Coroner I must aver, I thoroughly examined him, and he's not only merely dead, he's really most sincerely dead.

laisla

How sad. What a horrible accident.

RIP, Harry Wieder.

ProcedureTurn

God Bless!

Sounds like a great guy.

FelixtheCat & Christine Quinn'

I spoken with him a few times and he seem like an awesome person. RIP. He also hated Quinn for betraying the LGBT and the disabled.