Vigil set for Victoria Park on Thursday, police say they won’t be in attendance

A vigil is set to take place in Kitchener later this week after the remains of 215 Indigenous children were found in an unmarked grave at a former residential school in British Columbia. 

The gathering has been scheduled for Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Victoria Park clock tower. 

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, previous gatherings in Waterloo Region have been monitored by police and some organizers and participants have been ticketed. 

In a statement sent to 570 NEWS on Wednesday, police confirmed they will not be attending Thursday's vigil. 

It read in part, “As our community mourns, we also understand and respect the need to come together to support one another and comfort one another. We appreciate organizers requesting that those in attendance abide by public health guidelines.”

Police added they will be available to address any safety concerns that may arise. 

The WRPS COVID-19 Integrated Response Team launched in late April, and earlier this week, police confirmed the team has issued more than 75 charges to those found violating the Reopening Ontario Act and the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act. 

A statement issued at the time said, “Regardless of the public gathering, those who are identified and found violating the ROA and EMCPA will be issued tickets.”

That was prior to the provincial stay-at-home order being lifted on Wednesday. 

A vigil is planned for this Thursday at Victoria Park after the remains of 215 Indigenous children were discovered in B.C. https://t.co/BwQ4DqmqZ0

Statement from WRPS says they will not be in attendance but, “they will be available to address any safety concerns that may arise.” pic.twitter.com/mO2FwJ17JV

— Erin Anderson (@erinbailey_a) June 2, 2021