As I watched thousands of Canuck fans inside Rogers Arena cheer on Zdeno Chara, Tim Thomas, and Milan Lucic each hoist the Stanley Cup last night, I started writing a letter to the Vancouver Canucks to thank them for an amazing season.
It's a letter that was never finished as news coverage shifted to the madness
unfolding mere blocks away - Georgia Street set ablaze, smoke and tear gas clogging the air, police in riot gear being attacked with whatever people could get their hands on.
It was disgusting and shameful for the city to have all the positives that came from hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics and two months of play off celebrations seemingly wiped out in hours. We are no longer the home of the current President's Trophy winning team, we are the city that imploded over a lost hockey game.
I sat, glued to my TV for hours watching in disbelief as crowds refused to leave and had the audacity to attack the police officers trying to clear the streets. I waited impatiently to hear that people I knew got home safe. I went to bed in the early hours of this morning wondering how things managed to spiral out of control so quickly.
Last night was an
ugly scene that won't be forgotten easily. The
world spotlight is on Vancouver as people question the
why's and
how's. Hopefully they'll also take the time to recognize how the city has
responded.
Last night, there were
ordinary people who tried to stand up to the crowds. The Vancouver Police Department, along with officers from other municipalities, firefighters, and EMT's did what they could to
contain and disperse the crowds while protecting the rest of the city.
Today, instead of hiding in shame, Vancouver came out to take back the city. From the hundreds (if not thousands) of
volunteers cleaning up the streets to the "
Wall of Love" along the Bay's boarded up windows,
we are trying to change the story. Hundreds of people witnessed the theft, violence, and destruction and are in a position to do something about it. People are flocking to
identify rioters via Facebook and
Tumblr. Sure
#CanucksRiot is still trending on Twitter, but so is
#ThisIsMyVancouver.
June 15th, 2011 is a black mark on the city that will take time to erase. If today is any indication, Vancouver is up for the challenge.
*There's so much to reference here it's incredible. Shout outs to Mashable, Vancity Buzz, Vancouver Sun, Globe and Mail, and everyone on Facebook and Twitter trying to hold people accountable for their actions!
Well written Angela. I couldn't have said it better myself! Good on you!
ReplyDeleteI hope the news broadcasted that all the way to Europe as they did for the rioting...
ReplyDeleteBoth days to remember
ReplyDelete