A traditionally solemn candlelight vigil for people who died on Denver’s streets was disrupted tonight by a loud, angry Occupy Denver group.

The night before, the Occupiers’ tents, shanties and other possessions were removed from Civic Center park by police across the street from the vigil.

They shouted “fascist” and other slurs as Mayor Michael Hancock stepped forward to deliver the city’s annual address on homelessness.

Hancock pleaded with them to show civility to the families and respect for the 136 men and women whose names would eventually be called. After a few minutes, he surrendered the podium on the steps of the City and County Building so that the vigil could continue.

Other people in the audience shouted things in reply, including “show some respect” and “grow up.”

“This mayor evicted homeless people to die last night,” said a woman who refused to give her name but had been prominent in shouting at police Monday night.

“He does not deserve to be heard or respected.”

William Hall, who is homeless, said, “This government confiscated my home.”

As the names of those who had died were called, many, if not all, Occupy Denver members refused to say, “We will remember.”

“It’s disgraceful,” said Cynthia Ingram, who had traveled from Buffalo, N.Y., for the event to honor a cousin on the list.

“This isn’t about their political agenda; it’s about our family some sympathy and showing just a little bit of respect for the dead. I am so angry right now.”

Ingram said she had previously agreed with the Occupy mission, but did not respect the outbursts at tonight’s Homeless Persons’ Memorial Vigil.

The event, put on annually by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, is in its 22nd year, and this year attracted several hundred people.

The memorial included the names of 136 homeless people who died this year — 21 women, 115 men, who ranged from 20 to 76 years old.

Causes of death included pneumonia, hypothermia, heart attacks, drug or alcohol abuse, traffic accidents and suicides, according to the coalition.

“As we honor those who have passed, let us keep in mind those who are still on the street,” said John Parvensky, president of the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless.

He said most Americans have a life expectancy of about 80 years, but for the homeless, life spans range between 42 and 52 years old.

The list of names is on the coalition’s website at http://www.coloradocoalition.org.

Joey Bunch: 303-954-1174 or jbunch@denverpost.com