Bay windows transformed into message board on Vancouver riot anniversary

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      On the first anniversary of the Stanley Cup riot, Vancouverites are again leaving heartfelt messages on the windows of the Bay on Granville Street.

      The downtown department store was at the centre of the mayhem on June 15, 2011. Following the night of looting and vandalism, its boarded-up windows became a makeshift message board for people to share their thoughts and feelings.

      This morning (June 15), passersby were again writing down their thoughts, but this time on sheets of paper put up on the windows of the Bay.

      Vancouver residents Elizabeth Vossen and Graham Anderson were behind the idea. Vossen said the goal was to give people a chance to leave positive messages about what they love about the city.

      “The main idea is instead of reflecting back on something that was really negative about our city, let’s think about all the wonderful things about Vancouver and really appreciate that we live in such a beautiful place,” she told the Straight.

      Sheets of paper on the Bay windows spelled out “June 15—Love Vancouver Day”. People had also written messages that read: “I love this city!”, “Way to go Vancouver. You bounced right back”, and “One of the best places in the world!”

      Vossen recalled the aftermath of the riot, which erupted after the Vancouver Canucks lost the Stanley Cup final to the Boston Bruins.

      “What I found really inspiring was the way that people just showed up the next day with brooms and with dust pans and with garbage bags and they started cleaning up the city without anyone asking them to. That’s what sticks with me about the riot.”

      Vossen said the Bay was not involved in organizing the display this morning.

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