A candlelight vigil planned for Lac-Megantic tonight has been cancelled.
The event's organizer says the Surete du Quebec has ordered them to call off the event, a decision which has puzzled many.
"We got a message from the SQ cancelling the event, but many people do not understand their decision, and they are angry and upset. Many will go anyway," wrote Martin Benoit.
However the police force disagrees and says the organizers themselves cancelled the event.
Police say that while they are still scouring the wreckage for the remains of the missing, having hundreds of people show up to what they consider a crime scene would cause chaos.
The SQ says that if small numbers of people show up they will be handled.
Mayor Colette Roy-Laroche said the town cannot handle large groups.
"We can’t welcome thousands of people because we’re still in a state of emergency and our priority is with the people who’ve been touched by this tragedy," she said, speaking in French.
Roy-Laroche suggested the community could perhaps plan a "special evening" later on, when it is safe to do so.
For the meantime people are being asked to visit a church in Lac-Megantic throughout the day to reflect on the tragedy, or to light a candle in their own home to remember those who died.
Candlelight vigils will take place across Quebec, with a vigil scheduled to begin at Montreal's Place D'Armes at 8 p.m. Friday, followed by a march departing at 9 p.m. toward Place Vauquelin.
A benefit concert is scheduled for July 17 at Le National in Montreal. Another will happen on July 18, in Quebec City, organized by the musician Uberko who grew up in the Megantic region.
24 bodies have been recovered and about the same number of people are missing one week after a runaway train derailed and exploded in the heart of Lac-Megantic.
Thousands of people were forced to flee their homes, and about 200 are still living in an emergency shelter, with 40 buildings destroyed.
Red Cross
The Red Cross is taking donations to help the residents of Lac-Megantic. Those interested can visit the Canadian Red Cross website, call 1-800-418-1111, or send cash or a cheque to:
To make a donation by cheque or cash, please send your donation made payable to The Canadian Red Cross by mailing your donation to:
Canadian Red Cross
6 place du Commerce
Verdun, Quebec, H3E 1P4
If mailing a donation, it should be marked for the Lac-Mégantic Support fund.
