Lethbridge holds Broncos vigil

Some locked arms and sang songs, some said prayers — others just stood silently, still struggling to put words together about the tragic event that took place in Saskatchewan this past weekend.

More than 100 people came out to a vigil in the city Monday night that paid honour to victims of the Humboldt Broncos bus tragedy, including Lethbridge’s own Logan Boulet.

The vigil, which did not have a formal program, took place in front of city hall — which was lit in green and gold for the Broncos’ team’s colours as “a symbol of our community’s love and support for everyone involved and affected by this tragedy,” officials said.

Many wore green ribbons and placed candles, roses, a sign and a hockey stick — joining a movement called #PutYourSticksOut — on city hall steps.

“We are here tonight to grieve together as a community,” said Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman.

“It was one of the worst tragedies in Canadian history. It’s just devastating for so many. On behalf of the City of Lethbridge, I would like to convey my sincere condolences. We share and empathize with the tragic loss of Logan Boulet. We also remember Brock Hirsche and his family here in Lethbridge. Brock lost his fight with cancer yesterday (Sunday). These two young men each left a legacy and each had a message to inspire us. An appropriate way to respond, possibly, is to support the causes that they themselves believed in.”

In addition to the City lowering flags to half-mast, Lethbridge County did the same at both the Lethbridge and Picture Butte administration offices, and at Lethbridge Airport. The University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge College and Lethbridge Police Service headquarters also all lowered flags.