Statement: I am an "old" immigrant, this is my 14th year living in Ottawa, more than double the age of the victims. I learned this extremely saddening and shocking news over the radio @9am, Tuesday morning. Reading commentaries on this site makes my stomach turn violently. Have not planned to write anything since the news but now, I can't help writing the following.
1) Two young precious lives were lost to violent criminal acts. I don't know who they were nor where they were from. But two young precious lives were lost so senselessly. To the deceased: rest in peace!
2) The parents/relatives/loved ones will be in town if not were here already. This is a completely new place to them and they need all the help they can gather to just get around. I am pleading all those who know the victims/families to offer them help all you can. To victims' families: I don't know who you are nor where you are from but I feel your loss. Grieving and mourning is natural and you have my condolence and my thought! Ottawa is getting very cold and is completely new to you. Please save your grievance --- the deceased won't come back alive no matter how heart-broken you are. Take great care! There are many things awaiting you to do in the days ahead. Nothing is more important than your health!
3) "Old immigrants", "new immigrants", "students", "junior students", and all alike:
A) stop your senseless war of words! This is a time to mourn and to mourn only!
B) stop spreading any rumour regarding anything! Canada is a country ruled by law. The police will investigate and release their reports in due time.
C) This is our city, our country, regardless of where you are from, what colour you skin is, or what you are doing for a living. Violence and criminal acts break every member of our city in some way, shape or form, and should not be tolerated. Each and every of us need to express our concern to the police and polititians to make our city, our country a safe place in which to live. At some later time, I will write a prototype letter and post it here for others to send to the police, their MP, and so on. But this is not the right time.
Rest in peace, the deceased; take great care, the living!
Sincerely, an "old" immigrant
1) Two young precious lives were lost to violent criminal acts. I don't know who they were nor where they were from. But two young precious lives were lost so senselessly. To the deceased: rest in peace!
2) The parents/relatives/loved ones will be in town if not were here already. This is a completely new place to them and they need all the help they can gather to just get around. I am pleading all those who know the victims/families to offer them help all you can. To victims' families: I don't know who you are nor where you are from but I feel your loss. Grieving and mourning is natural and you have my condolence and my thought! Ottawa is getting very cold and is completely new to you. Please save your grievance --- the deceased won't come back alive no matter how heart-broken you are. Take great care! There are many things awaiting you to do in the days ahead. Nothing is more important than your health!
3) "Old immigrants", "new immigrants", "students", "junior students", and all alike:
A) stop your senseless war of words! This is a time to mourn and to mourn only!
B) stop spreading any rumour regarding anything! Canada is a country ruled by law. The police will investigate and release their reports in due time.
C) This is our city, our country, regardless of where you are from, what colour you skin is, or what you are doing for a living. Violence and criminal acts break every member of our city in some way, shape or form, and should not be tolerated. Each and every of us need to express our concern to the police and polititians to make our city, our country a safe place in which to live. At some later time, I will write a prototype letter and post it here for others to send to the police, their MP, and so on. But this is not the right time.
Rest in peace, the deceased; take great care, the living!
Sincerely, an "old" immigrant
