Neighbours tie ribbons in support of O’Brien family
As the Calgary community where Nathan O’Brien was last seen gathered Thursday at a candlelight vigil, one Ontario woman was among scores showing support from afar.
“We tied a ribbon on the little tree outside our house,” said Cara McCarron, who lives in Ajax, just outside Toronto. “It’s just a gesture; a hug from Ontario kind of thing.”
McCarron is following an effort launched last Friday by members of the Parkhill Stanley Park Community Association. News outlets, dozens of police officers and the neighbours of Alvin and Kathryn Liknes distributed 500 green ribbons to show their support for the family and investigators.
The ribbons are green, a colour multiple missing-persons organizations use to indicate hope for safe returns. The ribbons can be seen on trees, houses and shirts around Parkhill — and beyond.
The case has struck a nerve for many parents.
“It’s horrific. I have four kids, including a five-year-old,” said McCarron, who tied her ribbon last weekend.
“I’m a fellow parent, reaching out to them and letting them know we’re thinking of them.”
Edmonton realtor Jolene Langelle tied a green ribbon around her balcony this weekend.
“It’s for support,” said Langelle, who saw news reports about the campaign. “It’s just such an awful thing; it’s a nice way to send a message.”
Facebook and Twitter accounts dedicated to the family have published digital green ribbons.
Meanwhile, Lethbridge Mayor Chris Spearman has been wearing a green ribbon since Monday, when he read a Herald article on the campaign. He has since given out 20 ribbons to people around town.
“We all want this to turn out positively. Wearing the ribbon is just an indication we haven’t given up,” he said. “We can certainly empathize with what the community and the family is going through.”
Spearman said the O’Brien case is especially in the minds of people in Lethbridge, which was rocked by the 2001 disappearance and death of five-year-old Jessica Koopmans.