Statement of Solidarity in response to the Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy in Vancouver

May 14th, 2025

On May 10th, a community gathering was held in response to the April 26 Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy that took place during the Lapu-Lapu-Day Festival in Vancouver at the Office of Community Engagement House at McMaster University.

We recognize that the Lapu-Lapu Day Festival, a day of recognition of resistance to occupation and colonization, is a deeply important day in the Filipinx community.

The event provided a space for grief, sharing, care, and solidarity for those killed, injured, and all those impacted. We recognize this tragic event and its impacts on the Filipinx community in Hamilton and beyond.

We are so grateful to the organizers for bringing people together from the community, university, college and high school levels, during this difficult time. We recognize that this tragedy comes alongside so much global grief and loss that too often needs recognition, care, and solidarity.

We appreciate the ways that many are often denied the opportunity to mourn publicly and that these complexities were also acknowledged.

The McMaster Office of Community Engagement hopes to continue to support those doing and organizing for community care by doing this important work.

In solidarity, and with respect,

Ameil J. Joseph, MSW, RSW, Ph.D.
Academic Director, Community-Engaged Research and Relationships, Office of Community Engagement; Holder: Faculty of Social Sciences, Professorship in Equity, Identity and Transformation; Associate Professor, School of Social Work

Léa Ravensbergen, Ph.D.
Director of Community Research and Teaching for CityLAB, Office of Community Engagement; Assistant Professor, School of Earth, Environment & Society

Karen Balcom, Ph.D.
Academic Director, Teaching and Learning, Office of Community Engagement; Associate Professor, History/Gender and Social Justice