In the wake of the Vancouver riot, a committee of secondary students seeks to answer the question: What can we do to prevent another night like that?
"I know for a fact that we were all taught that we should stand for justice and protect the citizens around us," writes Bryan Wong, a UBC student and Youth Politik organizer on the Facebook page Vancouver Riots: Let's Talk About It.
After a devastating loss against the Boston Bruins, hundreds of people -- including many young adults -- took to the streets of Downtown Vancouver and caused a historic night of mayhem. Those who stood as bystanders blocked emergency response teams from reaching those in need. As Vancouver citizens watched the night unravel, many questioned where the parents of these young people were. Others asked why violence and vandalism attracted so many spectators, but so few interventions. Many wondered why looters and rioters still continued their rash actions despite the hoards of cameras and digital devices filming evidence second by second.
Now we’re left with the resounding question: Why?
The Vancouver District Students' Council (VDSC), a committee of student representatives from all secondary schools and alternative programs within Vancouver has set out to pose this question to youth and Vancouver citizens.
The VDSC’s mandate is to provide student input in the planning and decision-making of the area. Considering the age demographic of the youth who were participating in the riots that night, the VDSC wants to know what the education system can do to build students who are responsible citizens.
In conjunction with the City of Vancouver, the Vancouver Public Library and the Vancouver School Board, the VDSC will be hosting a forum at the Vancouver Central Library Saturday, July 9 from noon to 4 p.m. in the Alice Mackay Room. Vancouver youth and students will voice their opinions and develop solutions to help prevent an event like this in the future.
Open to all anyone 24 and younger from anywhere in the Lower Mainland, the day will end with a chosen project that will be put into action.
Kudos to the youth in our city for taking charge.
See you there!
Take a look at the Facebook Event page for more details.