Thousands of mourners were joined by politicians and religious leaders in Toronto on Sunday evening to remember those killed and injured when a van plowed through dozens of pedestrians along a busy street.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Toronto’s Mayor John Tory along with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard were all at the Toronto Strong vigil in the north of the city near the site of the attack.
Just before the ceremony started thousands took part in a walk of ‘healing and solidarity.’
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Governor General Julie Payette and Toronto Mayor John Tory walk with crowds down Yonge Street in Toronto
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Julie Payette lay flowers at a memorial on Yonge St. for van attack victims in Toronto, Ontario
Trudeau laid flowers at a vigil at Mel Lastman Square for van attack victims
Mourners gather for a vigil to pay their respect to the victims of Monday’s van attack
A mourner attends a vigil in memory of victims of a van attack in north Toronto, Ontario
The event, which was broadcast live across the nation, featured a stage lined with ten candles — one for each victim
The ‘Toronto Strong’ event, held in the city’s Mel Lastman Square, included Christian choirs and Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian and Muslim speakers
People braved the freezing cold temperatures to come out and say prayers for the victims
The route followed last Monday’s attack that say 10 people lose their lives and more than a dozen injured.
One volunteer for the event said around 200 people worked to prepare for tens of thousands of mourners to show up to the vigil.
Kevin Joachin said volunteering was an opportunity to give back to the community after it suffered through the tragedy.
‘It’s been a great help so far — just by the numbers, the support, the encouragement,’ said Joachin to The Canadian Press.
Members of Toronto fire department show their respects at a makeshift memorial in Mel Lastman Square in Toronto for the victims of the van attack before a vigil
Even before the planned events, some gathered at the square to pay tribute, leaving bouquets of flowers, hand-written posters and votive candles
A wall of flowers and candles was arrayed in a makeshift memorial in the square. City police estimated as many as 25,000 attended
A woman places coronations before a vigil at a makeshift memorial in Mel Lastman Square
Candles surround a makeshift memorial in Mel Lastman Square
The city had said earlier that it expected upwards of 25,000 people at the vigil
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau walked with crowds down Yonge Street
Thousands of mourners were joined by politicians and religious leaders in north Toronto on Sunday evening
By Sunday morning, a city-organized fundraiser for the families of those affected had raised more than $1.7 million
People attend a vigil remembering the victims of last week’s deadly van attack
‘Today’s event is a great demonstration not just to the community here, but to Toronto that we are strong, and we will move forward together.’
‘It’s amazing how on this one stretch of street, so many people are connected and affected by it,’ said Jennifer Ludlow, who attended the march along with her church.
”To come together as a large group really does bring us all together, and shows us there is hope on the other side.’
A number of people spoke at the event including rabbis, an imam and a Buddhist monk.
Muslim and Jewish people pose together for a photo at a vigil remembering the victims of the deadly van attack
Two women burst into tears at the makeshift memorial in Mel Lastman Square
Before the vigil, thousands took part in what was billed as a walk of ‘healing and solidarity,’ roughly following the route of last Monday’s attack
One volunteer said around 200 people worked to prepare for tens of thousands of mourners and officials to show up
The square echoed with thousands of people singing O Canada as the end of the event drew to a close Sunday night
A woman holds a candle at a makeshift memorial in Mel Lastman Square to remember victims
Family members of the victims attend a vigil remembering the victims of a deadly van attack
‘I wanted to contribute in a way that will let people know that we are all in this together and that we need to stick together,’ said Rabbi Eva Goldfinger.
‘I think a lot of people that are going to be coming want to feel like they’re not alone, so I think that they will feel that sense of community.’
At the square where the vigil was held, many gathered to pay tribute leaving bouquets of flowers, cards and candles.
On Friday, officials released the names of all eight women and two men who were killed in the incident.
They ranged in age from 22 to 94, and included a student from South Korea and a man from Jordan.
Alek Minassian, 25, of Richmond Hill, Ontario has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder in the incident.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, second from right, and Toronto Mayor John Tory, right greet Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne at the vigil
Trudeau was at the square just before 6 p.m., signing a book of condolences
Canadians gathered in the tens of thousands on a crisp Sunday evening in Toronto to honor those killed and injured in Monday’s horrific van attack
The City of Toronto and interfaith groups co-hosted the vigil at Mel Lastman Square. The vigil started at 7 p.m.
A work crew in protective clothing cleans a sidewalk a day after a van struck multiple people along a major intersection in north Toronto, Ontario
People sign a memorial after a driver plowed a rented van along a crowded sidewalk in Toronto, killing at least 10 people
The front end damage of the van that the driver used to hit several pedestrians in Toronto, Ontario, on Monday