The City of Vancouver is consolidating some of the temporary memorials near the scene of the Lapu Lapu attack, less than a month after the tragedy. Massive memorials have been growing around John Oliver Secondary since the violence unfolded April 26. The sites have become a crucial part of the healing process for the victims, their families, and the community. They’re filled with countless messages of support, art, flowers and stuffed animals. “Community members and their loved ones, they created this space, it’s peaceful, it’s beautiful, and they did that because they knew that was what’s needed,” said Crystal Laderas, a spokesperson for Filipino BC. On Thursday, a small team of city staff will began the process of consolidating them, moving or storing items from the memorials at St. George Street, 41st Avenue and Fraser Street, as well as at 44th Avenue and Fraser Street. The memorial at 43rd and Fraser will remain in place, as officials say it is a significant site to the community.Fresh flowers from the many memorial sites will be moved to that location. A second temporary memorial is being set up at nearby Mountain View Cemetery for cards, signs, and stuffed animals. The city says it will maintain both sites and will communicate with victims and their families about any future changes. Some in the community believe it’s too soon to remove any memorials at this time. “Any movement and consolidation should be done with care and in consultation with the family, so we don’t want to see anything move forward if that work is not complete,” said Laderas. Laderas says the pain loved ones feel is still fresh and raw. “We’re in our 40 days of mourning. So, on the 40th day, many people believe that the souls of our beloved community members will ascend to the afterlife,” she said. The City of Vancouver says it recognizes the importance of these expressions of remembrance and grief. “What we’re really trying to do is create a balanced approach that tries to meet the needs of the families of the victims and those that want to show remembrance, as well as the local neighbors that need to continue on their healing journey,” said Sandra Singh, Deputy City Manager. Singh says the city has never seen a public memorial of this scale before. “We really are learning as we go, and we’re trying to to really be careful and think about the needs of the families, first,” said Singh. The principal of John Oliver Secondary and a representative of the Vancouver School Board sent an email to parents informing them of the move. “These memorials are important expressions of mourning and grief, and we are working closely with the City of Vancouver to ensure they are handled with the utmost care and respect,” read the letter. Laderas says her organization has received a lot of calls and messages of concern from those in the community about the city’s plans. “Even having some consolidation or changes would maybe do more harm. So we immediately expressed to the City of Vancouver that there are a lot of concerned community members who may be harmed by this,” she told CTV news. On April 26, a car drove through a large crowd at the festival, killing 11 people and injuring many more. Thirty-year-old Adam Kai-Ji Lo is facing eight charges of second-degree murder. A judge has ordered that mental health professionals assess whether he is fit for trial. Lo’s next appearance is May 30.
