Kingston – Concerned Resident Response to Ottawa Shooting
Last night a group of concerned Kingston residents gathered at Sydenham United Church to express their thoughts, feelings, and prayers for those affected by the shooting in Ottawa that morning. The group agreed to pen a response to share with the world.
For more thoughts on the shooting, please read Matthew Behrens article Reflections on a violent day in Ottawa on rabble.ca.
22 October 2014 – –
AT the end of this tragic day in Canada, we are deeply AFRAID;
We are afraid for our sisters and brothers in the Muslim community, who may become, in the coming days, victims of retaliation and backlash they in no way deserve;
We are afraid of how our government will use this event as a reason to further tighten security against all citizens, further erode privacy and freedom, and further an agenda of militarism;
We are afraid that more Canadian soldiers will die as victims of violence;
We are afraid that this country that we love will descend into mistrust, fear of neighbour, and expressions of racism and hatred;
We are afraid that the peace and freedom and respect for civilian rights will be replaced by a state that does not resemble the country we know and love.
We would call on all neighbours to send thoughts and prayers for the families who have lost their sons today, refuse to allow our grief to be interpreted as a call to war, and to stand fast for the pillars of respect, tolerance, welcome, and civil liberty that are the hallmarks of our nation.
- Respectfully signed at a peace vigil held tonight at Sydenham Street United Church,
- Rev. Dr. Nan Hudson, in ministry at Faith United Church, Kingston
- Mabel Corlett, Sydenham Street United Church
- Kate Johnson, Chaplain
- Jamie Swift
- Tara Kainer
- Jolene Cheryl Simko
- Judith Wyatt
- Bronek Korczynski
- Elaine Berman
- Rev. Steve Hoffard, St. Marks Lutheran Church, Kingston
- Rev. Elizabeth Macdonald, Sydenham Street United Church, Kingston
- Annie Richard
- Amy Solc
- Diane Fitsell
- David Wyatt
Signatures added since the original posting:
- Jonas Lewis-Anthony
- Jeffry Piker
- Rob Matheson
- Aaron Visser
- Ann Bonifero
- Elizabeth Pater
- Rev. Lynn Elliott
- Mohammad Saleem, President, Islamic Society of Kingston
- Michael Cooke
- Paul Clifford
- Susanne Cliff-Jungling
- Mary Farrar
- Laurie Davey-Quantick
- Alice Gazeley
Robert Matheson
October 24, 2014 @ 12:10 am
I support this endeavor, and the intent of the letter. I would welcome my name being added in the name of peace.
Jeffry Piker
October 24, 2014 @ 12:43 am
yesterday’s unhappy event and the other one a few days prior are now bound to be used by politcal leaders and the media to increase canada’s militarization — and to apply it here at home (under the label, ‘security’) and in other lands — and to expect the rest of us to follow in lockstep.
especially so with remembrance day just around the corner. i will again refuse to wear a poppy on that day, because of the way it has come to be mean a celebration of canadian war and canadian militarism. i will again remember people who have died in wars, as well as these two recently-killed canadian soldiers, only by wearing my button which says: ‘war is not the answer’.
Beth Pater
October 24, 2014 @ 9:54 pm
Please add my name as a Peacequest supporter to this very profound statement.
Rev. Lynn Elliott
October 26, 2014 @ 3:44 am
thank you for these powerful words that speak my fears so well. If you can add my name I would be pleased.
Rev. Sally Boyle
October 27, 2014 @ 11:53 pm
Thank you, not only for gathering in prayer, but also for producing a statement that you willingly share with an online community. I note in the evening news that the Federal Government does, indeed, intend to tighten security measures around the actions of all citizens. I fear the terror which is engendered in our government agencies far more than that of the so-called terrorists themselves.
Mary A.Joy
November 30, 2014 @ 10:50 pm
I am happy to join in meditation & prayer at this time with all the members of Peacequest. God bless all in leadership.