Family, community gather to hear voice of homicide victim Josie Glenn
Hala Ghonaim | CBC News | Posted: November 10, 2017 10:21 AM | Last Updated: November 10, 2017
The 26-year-old's body was found in a Summerside home 2 weeks ago
'You just got to ignite the light and let it shine": the musical voice of the late Josie Glenn carried throughout a Summerside community park on Thursday as neighbours gathered somberly to commemorate the homicide victim.
The 26-year-old's body was found about two weeks ago in an area home on South Leaksdale Circle after she was reported missing for several days.
Oluwatobi 'Tobi' Boyede, 25, is charged with second-degree murder and offering an indignity to a body. He is scheduled to appear in court today.
Meanwhile, several grief-stricken Summerside residents handed out more than 350 $5 purple bulbs on Thursday at Meadowgate park that will be displayed at than 300 homes in the subdivision.
Organizers played musical covers recorded by Glenn while people held large posters with her smiling face printed on them and wiped tears in a moment of silence.
"This is magical," said Megan Walker, executive director of the London Women's Abused Centre.
I always believe in times of darkness we must come together and wait for the light, and that's what we're doing. - Megan Walker, executive director of the London Women's Abused Centre
The event's proceeds will go toward the centre, which uses purples lights in its Shine the Light campaign to show support for women who are survivors of violence committed by men.
Family speaks
About 200 people attended the gathering. Among them were members of Glenn's family, including her parents, brother, sister, nieces and nephews.
Although they didn't directly speak to the public, they thanked the attendees through event organizers.
Glenn's brother, who did not give his name or provide an official statement to media, told CBC that his family was mourning the 26-year-old, who was a sister, friend and girlfriend.
He told CBC that he wanted the community to remember his sister "through her music and her smile," and "her bubbly and her giving personality." Glenn's brother also wanted the public to know that his sister "loved everybody."
Organizer Katherine McIntyre told the crowd that Glenn "was never in a bad mood or mad at anyone."
Beyond the bulbs
McIntyre is anticipating another shipment of 1,500 bulbs to sell. However, for the anti-violence advocate, the campaign goes beyond the lights.
"It's important to know [violence] is not okay. It's absolutely not okay," she said. "To know there are people in our community that are coming together, thinking about [victims], and we're not going to allow anyone who thinks it's okay to continue."
As for Walker, the bulbs speak to a bigger issue.
"It's about communities coming together and talking about these serious issues impacting women today. The light bulbs are a show of support and solidarity for all women."
Community support for Glenn continues later this month with a march planned by SafeSpace London, a drop-in centre for sex workers, from London Police headquarters to the centre.