‘We Will Come Out Stronger’: Lawmaker Highlights Resilience Following Festival Attack
On Monday, British Columbia legislator Mable Elmore emphasized the importance of “continuing to wrap our arms around” the Filipino community as it copes with the aftermath of the Lapu Lapu Day tragedy, which resulted in the loss of 11 lives.
Elmore was greeted with a standing ovation on her return to the legislature following the April 26 incident, where an SUV crashed into festival attendees in her Vancouver-Kensington riding.
She expressed that those affected by this tragedy are finding strength, transforming their grief into love and purpose.
“The unfathomable tragedy following the Lapu Lapu festival highlights our shared humanity. It serves as a stark reminder of how fragile life is and that it can vanish in an instant,” she remarked.
“Yet, there is hope, for this tragedy also reveals the resilience of our humanity; we will heal, we will rise, and we will become stronger together.”
As the first MLA of Filipino descent in B.C. since 2009, Elmore expressed pride in the Filipino community’s leadership and rapid establishment of an emergency task force.
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“I want to express gratitude for the overwhelming support received from British Columbia, Canada, and beyond during this tragic time. It has been invaluable in helping the families, victims, and the community at large,” Elmore stated.
She mentioned that partnerships are forming across the province to assist those in need.
“I urge everyone to continue enveloping the community with support, for all victims and those burdened by this tragedy. Let’s stand united and remember that even in the darkest moments, the light of solidarity shines brightly.”
Elmore was present at the festival last month and witnessed the scene as bystanders apprehended the suspect. Videos circulating on social media show her standing close to the accused while an enraged crowd shouted at him.
In a subsequent interview, she refrained from discussing the details of that moment, considering the ongoing police investigation.
“This is just a heartbreaking incident—the loss of lives, the injuries, and the trauma affecting the entire community is unimaginable,” she reflected.
“This pain extends not just to the deceased; I have visited families in the hospital, and the trauma felt throughout the south Vancouver community is immeasurable.”
The suspect, 30-year-old Adam Kai-Ji Lo, faces eight counts of second-degree murder, with more charges anticipated.
He appeared by video in Vancouver provincial court last Friday, where a judge ordered a mental health evaluation to determine his trial readiness.
Lo’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 30.
A growing memorial for the victims occupies the crash site, adorned with flowers, potted plants, wreaths, candles, stuffed animals, and heartfelt notes along the fence of a nearby secondary school and sports fields.
Sharon Dusangh, a local resident, returned on Monday to pay her respects by laying flowers at the fence of John Oliver Secondary, her alma mater.
She expressed feelings of “sadness, heartbreak, devastation” upon hearing about the attack.
“You never imagine such a thing could happen here,” she remarked.
Visiting the memorial with Laura Uppal, also a local, she added, “Though we no longer live in the neighborhood, our families still do, and it pains me to see this happen where we grew up.”
Dusangh, now in Chicago, felt “immense pride” as she witnessed the community’s collective grief and support at the memorial.
Judi Fung, a visitor to the memorial on Monday, stated she had been reflecting on the attack and its victims all week. A gift of forget-me-not flowers from a friend inspired her to visit the site.
“I intended to plant them, but then it struck me—forget-me-nots symbolize that they shouldn’t be forgotten,” she shared, as tears filled her eyes while placing the flowers next to a raised flower bed honoring the victims. She envisioned these delicate blue blossoms flourishing throughout the area where the “horrific” tragedy occurred.
“Seeing the crowd and the shared expressions of grief and compassion reminded me that we stand together,” she concluded.
