As a response to the tragic events in Manchester on the 22/05/2017, this statement was read aloud during the Youth Council’s weekly meeting before we observed a minute of silence:
“We would like to pay tribute, to pay our respects and to think about those whose lives were lost or changed forever due to the horrific attacks on our freedoms and our ability to live our lives without fear on Monday night in Manchester.
The reason that this statement is being made is that many of those killed or injured were young people, just like us. Young people from York were present at the concert during this act of barbarism. As a Youth Council, these are young people we represent, we fight for, and we attempt to improve the city for. Their lives have been shattered and their lives will never be the same.
The fact is that it could have been any of us; it could have been anybody who has ever attended a concert and it could have been anyone who has ever attended a public event.
However, where there has been great tragedy and the worst of humanity has been shown; we have also seen some of the best of it. We have seen complete strangers assisting victims, young people spreading the attention of the attack and showing compassion, taxi drivers giving free lifts to those affected, people in Manchester offering free accommodation and the brave work of the emergency services. There is currently personnel from the armed forces protecting York and working to keep us all safe.
In times like this, WeStandTogether”
