Amanda Todd vigil draws hundreds to Surrey, B.C., park
CBC News
Posted: Oct 20, 2012 11:14 AM PT
Last Updated: Oct 20, 2012 12:42 PM PT
Hundreds of people gathered in a Surrey, B.C., park Friday night for a candlelight vigil in memory of Amanda Todd.
The 15-year-old took her own life earlier this month after being bullied for years at school and online.
Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts told the crowd gathered in Holland Park that bullying has to be stopped where ever it occurs.
"Amanda's death has sparked outrage, grief — and to those who are still suffering in silence, I want to send one message: that there is help available and you are not alone."
Watts says what happened to Amanda Todd was a heart-wrenching case of exploitation, torment and ultimately suicide.
"No child should feel such pain, loneliness and helplessness," she told the crowd. "Amanda's death has sparked outrage, grief and the collective coming together of all of us today to create change."
RCMP Supt. Bill Fordy read a message from Amanda Todd’s family at Surrey’s vigil.
"We are overwhelmed with your thoughts, prayers and love from each and every one of you. We would like to see changes made around the world to put an end to bullying once and for all."
Amanda Todd, 15, posted a video online before committing suicide. The video outlined her treatment at the hands of bullies, prompting a police investigation, expressions of concern and a renewed call to end such cruelty. (Instagram)The Surrey vigil was organized by a group called Global Girl Power. Group founder Navi Gill says this idea was picked up around the world.
"All of a sudden this went global," she said.
"We have right now over 40 cities all over the globe … That includes Spain, India, Japan. We have somebody in Aruba [and] Denmark that wanted to join us on this day to light up the world and stand up against bullying."
Share Tools
Latest British Columbia News Headlines
- Canadian on EI shut out amid foreign worker influx
- A jobless Canadian IT professional who is collecting employment insurance is upset because he now suspects several recent jobs he applied for went to temporary foreign workers. more »
- Prince Andrew in Victoria for Highland Games
- Prince Andrew is in Victoria this weekend, as Scots celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Highland Games. more »
- Thief robs, injures woman in wheelchair
- Police in Agassiz are searching for a purse-snatcher who robbed a woman in an electric wheelchair. more »
- Rob Ford should resign if allegations true, councillors say
- Two councillors say that Toronto Mayor Rob Ford should resign from office if unproven allegations that he was caught on tape smoking crack cocaine turn out to be true. more »
Must Watch
Top News Headlines
- Canadian on EI shut out amid foreign worker influx
- A jobless Canadian IT professional who is collecting employment insurance is upset because he now suspects several recent jobs he applied for went to temporary foreign workers. more »
- Can the Senate fire a senator?
- An expert on parliamentary rules says the Senate has the power to turf a senator from the chamber, as long as a majority approves the expulsion, and as long as there is cause. more »
- Harper chief of staff resigns amid Senate expense scandal
- Nigel Wright has resigned as Prime Minister Stephen Harper's chief of staff, following revelations he wrote a $90,000 cheque to repay living expenses claimed by Senator Mike Duffy. more »
- Jeep driver apologizes after stunt kills Edmonton woman
- A man claiming to be the driver of a Jeep that struck and killed a spectator at a charity event in Edmonton says he is sorry for what happened. more »
- Vancouver man attacked, killed in Costa Rica
- Prince Andrew in Victoria for Highland Games
- East Vancouver residents in 'guerrilla gardening' campaign
- Thief robs, injures woman in wheelchair
- Public raising funds to buy alleged Rob Ford crack video
- Jeep driver apologizes after stunt kills Edmonton woman
- Rob Ford should resign if allegations true, councillors say
- Holmes Hydro can proceed without environmental assessment
- Antipsychotic drugs recalled

