Post Riot - Vancouver Stanley Cup 2011

The Canucks loss. No biggie right? The fans inside Rogers Arena were graceful losers, and gave standing ovations to players of the Bruins for their trophies etc.
I was hoping with all my heart, that good sportsmanship in the rink would spill out into the street and we'd show the world we're A-Classy bunch of folks.

Knowing deep in my gut, that all local news stations would be interrupting shows with "Breaking News" any minute, and as I thought it, it happened.

I want to clearly state, that what happened in Vancouver last night should not be seen as a reflection of what the majority of people who live here are about. There was a crowd of people who went downtown with full intentions of starting a riot.

A text message from Single & Picky last night was all welcoming.  Chatting on the phone was even better. It was such a heavy hearted scar on Vancouver, I was happy to be distracted talking about anything else.

Emails and text messages from friends around the world asking if I'm okay has been over whelming to say the least. I live 40 minutes out of the downtown core.

You'll have to check out this link to see some of the worse pictures of the riot last night.

I personally do not think the tactical teams moved in and took control fast enough. They let it build.  St. Paul's Hospital was alerted to Code Orange = full lock down.  No staff were not allowed to leave for any reason. Expecting many casualties of all sorts.

It's shit like this that takes place and people wonder why Vancouver is referred to as the No Fun City. COS YOU CAN'T BEHAVE YOURSELVES! geez.
There is even a film about it.

I want to make it clear that this scar on Vancouver shouldn't be a reflection of the great city we are and how awesome the people are. There's a few bad ones in every crowd.

Our Transit system did an okay job of only commuting people and traffic OUT of the downtown core. Skytrains were not bringing people into the city, no buses were running in Vancouver and the Seabus was only transporting one direction. At one point all bridges connecting others parts of the city to Vancouver were closed to incoming traffic.

A photographer friend of mine was beside the first car that was flipped over said this via facebook.. "It was the fastest 3 rolls of film I've ever gone through. If I have anything good, I'll forward it to the police."

4th picture down in the link … some douche bag ran onto that BMW probably thinking there was a roof left, and fell in!!!  Now I don’t wish harm on anyone, but come on, he deserved whatever injuries he sustained

Between the facial recognition programs the police have, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and the sites that are popping up overnight to send your footage too, will assist police with identifying people. I hope those who started it are whole heartily held accountable.

P.S.
Should I learn at any time, that anyone I know via facebook, msn, in person etc was even remotely participating in the riot last night, will be deleted and friendship will be terminated, effective immediately. Those are not the kind of people I would ever want to be associated with in any way, shape or form.

It's a very heavy & sad day for Vancouver.
Stay classy my friends.

UPDATE:
Here is the article and pictures of thousands of volunteers coming to Vancouver's aid and cleaning her up. This is what Vancouver is about.