In the aftermath of last night’s horrifying Riot in Downtown Vancouver, a call for help came in from Facebook and Twitter. ‘Lets help clean up Vancouver by 11:30am.’ 16,500 people signed up to head downtown to help clean up the mess and destruction caused by last night’s riot.
As early as 5am, residents of Vancouver were downtown, with rubber gloves, dustpans and brushes, brooms, garbage bags and tongs to help in the clean up, which is expected to go on till Saturday if needed. Many of these selfless volunteers were reduced to tears as people on the streets thanked them for their efforts, and all were united in their goal – to clean up their beautiful city. Even First United Church got in on the act, mobilizing homeless people to help in the clean up. Many of the homeless helping had watched the game, and suffered the same disappointment as the rest of the fans when the Canucks lost. The riot left them outraged. They’re eager to help restore the dignity of the city of Vancouver. Everyone from men in business suits, to teen girls with green mohawks could be seen joining in the collective apology to their city by bending down and picking up remnants of the night’s excesses.
Plate glass windows that had been smashed had been boarded up, and in no time at all, the boards were covered with words of hope and apologies on behalf of last night’s hooligans. You can see a photo gallery of these words right here. I looked at these images and burst into tears. Vancouver is where I chose to make my home. To see such violence and destruction broke my heart. To see so many getting in on the act of cleaning up, and showing others the TRUE spirit of Vancouver gave me a lift like nothing else could. It’s just amazing – and although I’m somewhat biased, I don’t think there are finer people in the world than in Vancouver. Sure, last night a minority brought Vancouver to it’s knees, but this morning, a HUGE number of people lifted the hearts of Vancouverites as high as the clouds.
Boston fans all through the series final of the Playoffs called Vancouver fans classless. Today, we finally proved them wrong.
ya i thought that us canadains and vancouverites would have changed since 1994, i cant believe they riotted to be truthfull, its only a game and hey, maybe theyll win next year!!
hi dawn how are you these days, remember me? the guy from banff who you were going to visit after you got married? im now living in ontario!!
Time to get out out of Vancouver! It is inhabited by drunken rioters and bad losers. You’d be better off back in Sheffield. I’m sure there will be some spare council houses on the Wybourn. with no Canadian hooligans for hundreds of miles around.