By Dominic Abassi

Vigil for Quebec shooting victims planned for Thursday night in Nanaimo

Feb 2, 2017 | 12:51 PM

NANAIMO — Standing up to hatred and showing people in Nanaimo that it won’t be allowed in our community.

That’s the message that will be conveyed Thursday night at a vigil to pay respects to the six men shot dead at a Quebec City mosque last weekend.

“When racist violence like this happens, especially in our own country, it’s really important that we react and stand up to it and say that it’s not okay,” said vigil organizer Meg Labron. “Tell the people that share our community, Muslim people that are in our community, that they’re welcome here and they’re important to us and we want to stand up for them.”

Labron is encouraging people to bring cards, flowers, candles and signs to Diana Krall Plaza starting at 6 p.m. She said those signs of support will then be delivered to the Islamic Centre of Nanaimo.

“A lot more people were wanting to do exactly this than I had thought…it’s really amazing. It shows a lot of people want to show up and stand up for what’s right, it just takes coordinating,” she said.

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Labron, who is new to Nanaimo, said in her short time here she is meeting more people who are really committed to an inclusive society.

Nanaimo Coun. Diane Brennan plans to attend. She said she’s really proud of the diversity in Nanaimo and the efforts taken to embrace newcomers.

“If we sort of just sat back and said ‘well you know that doesn’t represent us and I’m sure everybody knows that,’ it’s not enough. The message has to be really strong that this is what we stand for. We stand for diversity, inclusion…if we don’t do that, if we’re silent, it can be taken as permission,” said Brennan.

Labron said anyone wishing to speak at the vigil Thursday night is welcome, noting a few people have expressed a want to read some poetry. She said the Immigrant Welcome Centre and the Islamic Centre have been involved and are helping spread the word about the event as well.

On Monday, Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, was charged with six counts of first-degree murder and five of attempted murder using a restricted firearm.

dominic.abassi@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @domabassi