29 May 2002

The Mangere Community Board wants residents to ‘reclaim’ the streets of Mangere by attending a special ceremony outside the ASB Bank and surrounding area. This will be followed by a community celebration.

The Mangere Community Board says the ceremony will assist the community’s healing process after the recent tragedy.

“The ‘Bridge’ is a vibrant and dynamic community that’s been dealt a devastating blow. By pulling together in the tragedy we’ve actually helped each other deal with it. This ceremony is something the whole community can do to get back a sense of security and well-being,” said Community Board member John Kerr.

“This event is not about law and order, it’s about a tight-knit community coming to grips with their grief.

“Residents and business owners, while acknowledging they have lost someone very dear to the community, have to be able to get on with their lives. It’s essential for the future of the Bridge that we don’t let the circumstances rule how we feel about the place we call home”.

The reclamation ceremony and community celebration will begin at 7pm on Thursday 6 June.

People are asked to bring a candle to mark one minute of silence in memory of John Vaughan.

Ends

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