Vigil held for late NDP leader

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Yesterday, mere hours after news had broken that Jack Layton passed away, a group of Waterloo region New Democrats Party (NDP) supporters created a Facebook group to organize a vigil for the late NDP leader. Held at Speakerโ€™s Corner in Kitchener, a small group of mourners slowly grew as the evening progressed.

Murmurs of โ€œIโ€™m sorry,โ€ along with sympathetic embraces passed throughout the group as everyone waited for the speakers to begin. Right from the start, a heavy air of sadness was felt.

Many people took their turn to say words on Layton’s behalf. It seemed no matter which political party they supported, everyone had a kind word to say about Jack Layton. Harold Albrecht, Member of Parliament (MP) for Kitchener-Conestoga, came to the centre of the group to say that though they worked for different parties with different goals, Layton was always compassionate. โ€œI didnโ€™t know him that well,โ€ Albrecht said, โ€œbut he always treated me with respect and his family will be in my prayers.โ€

Most speeches talked about Laytonโ€™s personality, his continuous optimism and new style of political campaigning. Everyone in attendance seemed to agree that Layton came to politics with a different idea โ€” he proposed civility. Provincial NDP candidate for Kitchener-Centre Cameron Dearlove said that Layton brought โ€œpositive politics to the table, where you conduct yourself with dignity and respect.โ€ He continued to add, โ€œMay Jack Layton rest in peace; weโ€™ll take it from here. Now that Jack is gone, the rest of us will have to try a little bit harder.โ€

Andrea Horwath, leader of the Ontario New Democrats, was unable to make it to this specific vigil but did send along her thoughts in the form of a letter, read aloud to the group. โ€œ[Layton] inspired a generation of voters with his principles of compassion and fairness and equality.โ€ The NDP supporter trusted with Horwathโ€™s letter continued to read, โ€œHe set an example. He brought us together.โ€

One woman couldnโ€™t hold back a flood of tears as speakers continued to talk about Laytonโ€™s ever consistent fight on behalf of people and for people, no matter what walk of life they were from.

After the speeches had been made, a moving round of the national anthem was sung, followed by a moment of silence.

โ€œI want to pass on Jackโ€™s favourite Tommy Douglas quote tonight,โ€ Dearlove said to the crowd, smiling. โ€œCourage my friends, itโ€™s not too late to build a better world.โ€

A state funeral, traditionally an honour given to a prime minister rather than a leader of the official opposition, was offered by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to Laytonโ€™s widow, Olivia Chow. It will be held for Layton this Saturday in Toronto.


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