Vigil unites a city grieving victims of Toronto van attack

An image of sadness, grief and defiance has been imprinted on the heart of Toronto over this past week as an informal memorial sprung up along Yonge Street and then at least 25,000 citizens walked the empty street and gathered at Mel Lastman Square for prayers, songs and words of hope on the evening of April 29.

The April 23 van attack brought the diverse city together for the largest interfaith prayer service in living memory.

In response to 10 people killed and another 14 grievously injured along two kilometres of Canada’s longest and most famous street, Torontonians gathered, prayed, lit candles, left flowers and adorned the street with rosaries, crosses, incense and altars.

Images from the interfaith prayer vigil April 29 and from the memorials which grew through the week reveal the soul of the city.