[PHOTOS] A vigil for the father Emmett Johns

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

Zechariah Goudreault

Wednesday, 17 January, 2018 19:47

UPDATE
Wednesday, 17 January, 2018 20:59

Look at this article

MONTREAL | More than 200 people gathered in downtown Montreal on Wednesday evening to honour the memory of Emmett Johns, claiming the passage to the holding of a national funeral for the founder of the body In the street.

• READ ALSO: The tributes keep coming for “Pops”
• READ ALSO: father Emmett “Pops” Johns, the organization’s founder In the street, is dead at age 89

Despite the cold, citizens of all ages gathered at place Émilie-Gamelin, in order to pay tribute to the man of the Church, who died at the age of 89, in the night from Saturday to Sunday.

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

After a minute of silence, the mayor of Montréal, Valérie Plante, the premier of Québec, Philippe Couillard and the minister of Transport of Canada, Marc Garneau, took the microphone to honor the memory of the one affectionately called “Pops”.

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

“I remember the glimmer of hope in his eyes and his smile. I am certain that he is watching us from above and he smiled at us,” said Ms. Plant.

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

The quiet ambient, however, has been disturbed when the prime minister of Quebec was booed by a few people, who have claimed on several occasions that a state funeral be held in honour of Emmett Johns.

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

“It has saved lives throughout its existence,” said Mr. Couillard, who said that the Quebec flag would be at half-mast in the national Assembly on the day of the funeral of Emmett Johns, which will take place the morning of Saturday, January 27, at Saint Patrick’s basilica in downtown Montreal.

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

In the last few days, Quebec has said that it wants to first discuss with the family of the deceased and the body In the street before deciding if a national funeral will be held.

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

Change lives

Several young people who have known Emmett Johns, who among other things, created the only Montreal shelter for young homeless pet, as well as a day centre that gives courses and workshops to the homeless, have also delivered a moving testimony.

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

“When I run away at 16 years old, I found myself in the Bunker [the emergency shelter founded by Emmet Johns]. After that, I was at the day centre and this is where I met him. He saved my life when I wanted to die,” said Mélanie Bernier.

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

The city councillor Sterling Downey has entrusted to the “24 Hours” to have met Emmett Johns for the first time while he was running away at the age of 15 years. The former priest, who was traveling across then the streets of the city in a trailer on occasion purchased in 1988 to provide food to the homeless, offered him a meal.

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

“Time and again, just with the attention and support of someone like “Pops”, do you realign them to the appropriate resources that can change a whole life. It has really changed lives in an incredible way over the years”, he stressed, tears in his eyes, Mr. Downey.

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala

The casket of Emmett Johns will be exposed to the general public in the hall of honour of Montréal city hall on 25 and 26 January next.

Photo Agence QMI, Dario Ayala