‘A long time coming’: 海角社区官网unveils ‘Heroes’ Way’ in North York to honour first responders of 2018 van attack
Mayor Olivia Chow said the 鈥渉orrific, deliberate” 2018 Yonge Street van attack left a lasting impact on the first responders, bystanders and surrounding community.
Local politicians joined first responders on Saturday morning to unveil commemorative “Heroes’ Way” street signs, a tribute to those who responded to and investigated the 2018 Yonge Street van attack.
Mayor Olivia Chow and Coun. Lily Cheng (Willowdale) were among those who attended the ceremonial Canterbury Place naming event at .
The event brought up “a lot of emotions,” for Cheng, she said with a deep breath.听
Ten people were killed and 16 injured. But amidst the horror were the helpers 鈥 those who ran to
“I think it’s a long time coming,” Cheng added. “It’s a very meaningful moment.”
On April 23, 2018, Alek Minassian drove a white van down more than two kilometres of sidewalk along Yonge Street between Finch and Sheppard Avenues, killing 11 people. The incident marked the city’s largest mass killing, and Minassian听was sentenced to life in prison in 2022.
During a听city council meeting on the seven-year anniversary听of the attack on Wednesday, Chow said the 鈥渉orrific, deliberate act of hateful violence鈥 left a lasting impact on the first responders, bystanders and surrounding community.
鈥淭hese were beloved members of our community whose lives were cut short by this senseless violence,鈥 Chow said.听鈥淥ur hearts go out to the families and loved ones, today and every day we remember them.鈥
Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Lily Cheng (Willowdale) were among those who attended the event at Mel Lastman Square.
Andrew Francis Wallace/海角社区官网Star
Chow pointed to the efforts of officer Ken Lam, who confronted and arrested听Minassian minutes after the first 911 call.听
鈥淲e honour his heroic efforts that day and those of all the nearly 2,000 first responders and personnel involved in the aftermath and investigation 鈥 These are civil servants who did tough work and we are very, very grateful for their service.鈥
Cheng said there are plans for a permanent memorial at Olive Square Park 鈥 where community members laid flowers and grieved in the wake of the attack 鈥斕齮hat she hopes can be a space for “remembrance, reflection and healing.”
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A design contest for that memorial will be launched later this year, she said.
“There’s so much negativity in the news, but this really highlights that in a tragic moment ... 海角社区官网the Good emerged,” Cheng said of听how the city came together in moments after the tragedy.
“In a moment of darkness, it really shined a light on our city.”
With files from Anastasia Blosser
EM
Elissa Mendes is a breaking news reporter, working out of
the Star鈥檚 radio room in Toronto. Reach her via email: emendes@thestar.ca
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