40 years ago this October, community leaders and the Vancouver Parks Board planted Sakura (Cherry Blossom) trees in a slightly out of the way spot near X̱wáýx̱way/Stanley Park. Honouring some of the first HIV/AIDS deaths in the country, the grove is the oldest known AIDS memorial. At the time it was planted, fears of vandalism meant the site stayed only known through word of mouth. As part of AIDS Vancouver's 30th anniversary, the story of these trees was recovered, shared publicly, and in 2018, a plaque was installed at the area to ensure this early act borne out of grief and love lives on.
Please join Ribbon Community, Cocksure Performance, and community leaders passionate about rights and remembrance on Monday, October 20, starting at 3:30pm at Devonian Harbour Park. We invite you to gather with us to mark this significant anniversary as a time to reflect on half a century of local HIV/AIDS activism and look ahead to the future it made possible.
Join us for food and community connection opportunities starting at 3:30pm at the cherry trees at Devonian Harbour Park on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh territories. Formal proceedings, including invited remarks and readings, will begin at 4pm and are planned to wrap up by 5pm.
