November 05, 2024 19:22 (IST)
Follow us:
facebook-white sharing button
twitter-white sharing button
instagram-white sharing button
youtube-white sharing button
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy booked for threatening cop probing into mining case | Supreme Court upholds validity of Uttar Pradesh Madrasa Education Act | Not all private properties are community resources that govt can take over: Supreme Court | Pakistan's Lahore has become world's most polluted city with an AQI of 1900 on Sunday | Indian Army 'successfully completes' patrolling to a key point in Ladakh's Depsang region
Thousands pay tribute to Toronto van attack victims, gather at vigil in show of solidarity
The Canadian Press

Thousands pay tribute to Toronto van attack victims, gather at vigil in show of solidarity

| @indiablooms | 30 Apr 2018, 08:42 am

Toronto, Apr 29 (IBNS): Thousands, including Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, banded together today at Mel Lastman Square here in an overwhelming show of support to the vigil organized to pay tribute to the victims of Monday’s van attack.

The vigil was organized by the city, along with Faith in the City and Toronto area Interfaith Council.

Speakers represented various religions as they praised the maturity the city had shown in the wake of the horrifying attack in which 10 people lost their lives while 16 were injured. They thanked the first responders, police and medical team who tended to the victims.

The speakers laid a flower each on the stage as the names of those killed in the attack were read out. The Willowdale Community Choir, Toronto Children’s Concert Choir, Choir of Metropolitan Community Church of Toronto performed during the vigil. Toronto’s Poet laureate Anne Michaels read out a poem in solidarity with the gathering.

Just before the vigil began, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Julie Payette signed a book of condolence set up at the nearby Olive Square. They also laid bouquets at the memorial set up there. A large crowd gathered around them.

Trudeau’s message in the book of condolence read: “You really see the strength and resilience when terrible things happen. Torontonians and Canadians showed how we will always be there for each other."

The Prime Minister and Governor General then joined mayor John Tory in a procession to walk south on Yonge Street to Mel Lastman Square for the vigil. 

Other dignitaries present at the vigil included Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and her Quebec counterpart Philippe Couillard.

A visitation was announced for 23-year-old Ji Hun Kim, one of the victims and a South Korean international student.

On Friday, officials released the names of all eight women and two men who were killed.

Alek Minassian, the 25-year-old accused, has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder. He will be charged with three more counts of attempted murder during his next appearance in court.

(Reporting by Sayantan Banerjee)

Support Our Journalism

We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism

IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.

Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Related Images
Xi Jinping, Putin in Russia 22 Mar 2023, 02:56 pm
Related Videos