The AFLCR held a candlelight vigil at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, November 14, in front of 43 King St.
Among the 70 people who attended were Mayor Miro Weinberger and his wife Stacey, and children; scouts, police officers, and members of the Muslim community; chef Jean-Louis Gérin and his wife, singer Francesca Blanchard; translator Richard Gliech, and flag bearer Tom Avenia; citizens from Québec and Canada, directors from our board, and many members and supporters from the community.
The street was blocked off and secured under the leadership of Lise Verroneau, AFLCR board member and a member of the Burlington Police Department.
Participants stood in a circle, everyone holding a candle. AFLCR vice-president Adrienne Coléon-Gaskell gave opening remarks, then Mayor Weinberger highlighted the strong relationship between the American and French people. He recalled the support of the French people during the 9/11 attacks. Victoria Brassart-Jones, AFLCR president, thanked in particular the representatives from the Muslim community for joining this group, as they are also strongly wounded by attacks made on false pretenses. Adrienne then led a powerful nondenominational prayer, followed by silence in the memory of those who tragically died. All then sang the French national anthem, La Marseillaise.
In association with the Burlington Honfleur Sister City Committee
Press coverage of the vigil:
Burlington Free Press
WPTZ News Channel 5
Laurence Clerfeuille, professor at St. Michael’s College and AFLCR board member, was featured here
St. Michael’s College held a conference on the Paris attacks.