Day of mourning in memory of the victims of the Lapu-Lapu festival tragedy

Friday, May 2, 2025 was a day of provincial mourning in British Columbia, to highlight the memory of the victims of the bolden car attack last Saturday in Vancouver.

The tragedy left 11 dead and around thirty wounded when a laulch cracked the crowd gathered to celebrate the Filipino Festival Lapu-Lapu.

On this commemoration day, the inhabitants of British Columbia can come together to cry the dead, comfort the wounded and support witnesses whose life will never be the same again after having attended this shocking violencesupports the Prime Minister of British Columbia, David Eby, in a written declaration.

Religious and community groups, in particular the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver, have planned several rallies.

A whole of a bewitched province

As Prime Minister, I present my most sincere and deepest condolences to all those who have lost a loved one. I send my sympathies and my vows of rapid and complete recovery to all victims of physical and moral injuriessaid David Eby.

The Prime Minister also welcomed the dedicated work that the police, paramedics and all hospital staff have accomplished in these difficult times. He also wanted to thank the people present during the festival who offered first aid and comfort to the victims at the time of the tragedy.

The Prime Minister welcomed the people who challenged the attack on the arrival of the police just as much.

It is difficult for anyone in British Columbia for not having been touched in one way or another by a member of the Canada-Philippine community. Impossible to visit a school, a daycare, a clinic, a hospital or a long -term care home in the province without meeting a member of this communitysaid David Eby.

He now encourages the population to return the same to this community.

David Eby also stressed that the April 26 attack will not prevent Vancouvérois and the British-Colombians from gathering.

We will continue to celebrate the richness of our cultures, our religions and our heritage. These festivals are highlights of life in our multicultural province, and the deep expression of what we are.

The public will be invited to sign a book of condolences in the entrance hall of the Vancouver town hall from Friday and until May 15. Opening hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

City residents will also be able to write a message of online condolence (new window).

It will also be possible to sign a condolence book in the British Columbia Parliament in Victoria.

Matthew Furtado, director of communications of the Archdiocese, says that several Catholic parishes will present commemorative masses and priests of prayer for those who have lost their lives in the tragedy.

We really understand the importance of gathering in times of mourning, in end -of -life periods, during diseaseshe adds.

In the Catholic tradition, a mass of memory is not only an opportunity to think about the past, but also that of looking towards the future. We believe in eternal life.

Archbishop Michael Miller will chair a mass at the Cathedral Holy Sanctuary (Cathedral of Saint-Rosaire, in French) at 5:10 p.m. Friday, in memory of the victims and families affected by the drama. Mass will be broadcast live on the cathedral YouTube channel (new window) (in English).

We are devastated. We have a broken heart. We are united in mourning and solidaritysaid the mayor of Vancouver, Ken Sim, in a written declaration.

On behalf of the city of Vancouver, I would like to thank Prime Minister David Eby, and the British Columbia Government for their recognition of the gravity of this tragedy and for giving us all of us to mourn our mourninghe added.

Mr. Sim also said that he witnessed incredible resilience and a unit that defines Vancouver.

To families who have lost relatives, to those who recover from their injuries or trauma, and to each of the affected communities: our hearts are with you.supported the mayor.

According to him, although the Lapu-Lapu festival is part of the Philippin cultural heritage, the tragedy affected people of all origins.

We will continue to work with all those affected to make sure we never forget this tragedy and all lost lives. Their stories, their contributions and their memories will be an integral part of the common history of Vancouver.

In Vancouver, the parish St. Mary organizes a prayer vigil at 4 p.m. Friday, at the park South Memorialrue Prince Albert, at the corner of 43rd avenue.

Matthew Furtado specifies that Archbishop Miller asked for a fundraising to be organized this weekend in all Catholic parishes in support of victims and their families.

The accused in this tragedy faces eight counts for second degree murder. There may be other charges, said Vancouver’s police.

With information from the Canadian press and Alphonsine SEFU