THE AFTERMATH of the Stanley Cup game in Vancouver when the Canucks lost to Boston wasn’t pretty. Damage to property and reputation caused by crazed vandals was a costly and huge embarrassment to the city. The Apology Wall on Robson Street was a spontaneous reaction from those who watched the events unfold with horror.
The destroyers of the world are often followed by rebuilders and doers. While some burned cars and smashed storefront windows, others were quick to clean up, rebuild and tend to shattered hearts and shocked psyches. The boards covering the broken glass were soon laden with thousands of goodwill messages and love notes as if to say in a unified empathetic scribble: we are sorry and saddened about the destruction and are here to pick up the pieces.This article will be linked to signs, signs.
Copyright by Penelope Puddlisms
Wonderful, spontaneous apologies to an uncalled-for horror. Vancouver fans were so good during the Olympic Games last year, I was shocked when a small war broke out after a mere hockey game. Okay, yes, the Stanley Cup, but surely not important enough to risk destroying the city's reputation for.
ReplyDeleteI was saddened to see civilized Vancouver being terrorized by hooligans. But I was heartened by the response of so many citizens.
ReplyDeleteI wonder why there seems to be so much worldwide anger right now. Perhaps there are many reasons.
this kind of spontaneity shows where a city's heart is. I have no kind feelings for those who ran riot - the few tearful apologies even ring hollow.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post for the day!
ReplyDeleteThis warmed my heart and made me smile. As Michael Jackson sang, "One bad apple don't spoil the whole bunch, girl!"
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing to do. I could not imagine people behaving as those naughty one did. Such an embarrassment to the city. The murals are wonderful. Wish the national noes broadcasters had paid more attention to them instead of to the vandalism. Genie
ReplyDeleteMany people from outside Vancouver were surprised that such things happened.
ReplyDeleteThat apology wall was pretty neat - now that's more like Vancouver.
I too was shocked to see what happened there...but this is a very nice gesture on behalf of the people!
ReplyDeleteMy son lives in Vancouver and he was so thoughtful to email me that all was well with him. He was disgusted with the behaviours but impressed with the volunteers who helped clean up overnight.
ReplyDeleteI think a riot would have ensued regardless of the outcome of the game. Troublemakers will seek trouble wherever opportunity exists.
Similar events unfolded in Toronto at last year's G20 summit. The punks were allowed to trash the downtown core while the police appeared to nothing to stop it.
ReplyDeletethis bad news went all round the world.
ReplyDeleteIt's so easy to lose one's temper when confronted by (seeming) failure. I don't think the rioters realized the extent of their actions ... and like a bad hangover, woke up the next day saying "what HAVE I done???" It makes me feel better to see so many apologies; it was needed, and hopefully it won't happen again!
ReplyDeleteI had heard about this wall of apologies, but these are the first pictures of seen of the sign.