While many celebrated the long weekend across the province, others were in mourning.
Nearly a dozen members of Victoria Women in Black gathered at the Inner Harbour on Monday afternoon to hold a vigil for the 129,000 victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, which occurred 72 years ago last weekend.
Down at the Inner Harbour this morning, this group of women are having a vigil for victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
B次元官网网址 Victoria B次元官网网址 (@VictoriaB次元官网网址)
The group held the demonstration both to commemorate the victims and to pressure the federal government to join the other 122 UN countries in signing a treaty banning nuclear weapons in September.
Terry Wolfwood is a member of the group she says is part of a world-wide movement opposing war and violence.
B次元官网网址淲e are remembering the only time nuclear weapons have been used in the world, but right now theyB次元官网网址檙e being used to rule the world with fear,B次元官网网址 she said.
But for Wolfwood, this isnB次元官网网址檛 just a history lesson. She hopes remembering the past will inspire others to support banning nuclear weapons today.
B次元官网网址淲e really hope Canada will sign on with all these other nations and not only ban nuclear weapons, but ban the aiding and production of them,B次元官网网址 she said.
Wolfwood and other members of the group drew messages on the sidewalk hoping to draw attention to their cause.
They are drawing chalk on the ground, hoping to garner support. They want govt to sign UN treaty against nuclear weapons
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Jane Bracken, another member of the group, said she also supports this weapons ban.
B次元官网网址淲e care about the planet. We care about you,B次元官网网址 she said. B次元官网网址淭here are too many nuclear bombs in the world.B次元官网网址
The UN treaty will be open for signatures next month at the annual general assembly in New York.