Maple Ridge wants to make its voice heard in support of the people shot and killed in a gay nightclub early Sunday in Orlando, Fla.
At its Monday morning workshop meeting, council held a moment of silence in the wake of the latest mass shooting in the U.S., which killed 49 people and injured another 53.
“So how do we move forward? How do we fight back against the darkness that led to the shooting?” asked Mayor Nicole Read.
“The only way I know is to counter the darkness with light.
“We need to send a message of love and tolerance.”
Maple Ridge’s flag flew at half mast over city hall on Monday, and will soon be replaced by the pride flag for the next two weeks, until Canada Day.
“This is our way of showing our love for the LGBTQ citizens of our community and around the world and send a signal that we will not let darkness take root here,” Read said.
Council approved flying the Canadian pride flag at half mast at Maple Ridge city hall to show support for the victims of the Orlando tragedy.
The pride flag will also be flown during Pride Week, July 24 to 31.
Council, as well, told staff to research a location and costs for installation of a pride sidewalk, where the pavement markings will be painted in rainbow colours. That will be located somewhere in the downtown.
The Islamic Society of Ridge Meadows also denounced the shootings.
The society “unequivocally condemns the monstrous, cowardly attack against the innocent,” said Ahmed A. Yousef, society president.
“The Muslim community stands firmly in repudiating anyone, or any group, that would claim to justify or excuse such an appalling act of violence.
“This is an act of violence and it has no space in our community and no space for anyone who claims to be a Muslim.”
The society offered its “most heartfelt condolences” to the families and those who were killed and injured.
The City of Pitt Meadows won’t be following Maple Ridge.
Previous councils learned that it becomes too difficult to refuse future requests once one incident or cause is recognized, Becker said.
“It’s typically not something we do,” said Mayor John Becker.
“We just don’t do that. It just becomes too unwieldy to pick and choose between horrific acts.”
Pitt Meadows earlier this year also decided against sending a small cash donation to Fort McMurray to help with the wildfire, instead, allowing individuals to decide whether they want to do that, rather than Pitt Meadows allocating tax dollars, as per city policy.
“We tend to stay away. Where do you say no?” Becker asked.