Arcelie News - Jan 30th
Posted in Tribute to Arcelie on 01/30/2008 07:47 pm by Tess Rupprecht
Candlelight vigil held for murder victim
Sisters trace Arcelie Laoagan’s last steps
Jamie Komarnicki , Calgary Herald
Published: Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Frozen tears streaking their cheeks in the icy air, Arcelie Laoagan’s sisters clung to each other as they traced the last steps their sibling took before her battered body was found on a snowy path nearly two weeks ago.
Emotions spilled to the surface Wednesday evening as more than 150 community members joined the pair in solidarity on the walk from the Franklin C-Train station to a memorial in the snow nearby.
Many wore signs decrying violence against women.
Caroline Maximo, sister of murder victim Arcelie Laoagan, marched with 150 others Wednesday, paying tribute to her fallen sibling and denouncing violence against women.
Stuart Gradon/Calgary Herald
“There was a concern even before this happened about taking the C-Train at night, especially women after the rush hour is over,” said David Wilson, one of many community advocates who organized the vigil.
“These things aren’t going to magically get better,” he said.
“If there are safety issues, we need to come up with solutions.”
Tears choking her voice, Laoagan’s sister Marlyn Hori tried several times to address the gathered crowd.
“We’ll never forget this,” she said, her voice breaking off as she turned to cry on the shoulder of a friend.
Gut-wrenching sobs shook Caroline Maximo as she stood with Hori at the patch of snowy ground where their sister died.
The death struck a chord with many Calgarians, captured by the tale of the young mother toiling at two jobs to bring her husband and five children to Canada from the Philippines.
“My heart is so heavy right now,” said Julie Black.
“I really identify with Arcelie. I have to make my living in this city, I have to walk places by myself. It should be safe.”
Laoagan left work from her downtown office at about 10 p.m. on Jan 17 and caught the LRT to Franklin station. Her body was found the next morning.
Christopher James Watcheston, 21, has been charged with first degree murder.
“I think this makes me determined to make this another kind of city,” said Black.
“There’s no reason why as Calgarians we can’t do something to make a difference.”
In a service at Grace baptist Church following the candlelight vigil, friends spoke of the need for community healing following the violent death.
jkomarnicki@theherald.canwest.com
© Calgary Herald 2008