Convicted rioter Emmanuel Alviar, 20, has apologized to Mayor Gregor Robertson and the City of Vancouver for his actions in last June's violent Stanley Cup riot downtown, after the Canucks lost to the Boston Bruins in Game 7.
The Surrey native pleaded guilty in March, and served a one-month jail sentence for his actions, which included kicking a garbage can at a burning vehicle, helping to rock another car, and smashing windows at the Telus building downtown. He was also sentenced to 16 months probation and 150 hours of community service.
In a letter posted by the Vancouver Sun on Thursday (written by Alviar on August 15), he wrote:
"Dear Mayor Robertson, I am sorry for pushing the side of a car and throwing a piece of wood at a window, during the Vancouver riot of [2011]. I should have never done those things. My participation in the riot affected the community in a way by striking negative inspiration into all the hearts and minds of the community witnessing my crime spree.
"There are times in life when young people are not heading in a purposeful direction so then they can easily succumb to peer pressure. This is what was happening in my own life at the time, I had no purposeful direction.
"Since then I have been able to improve my situation giving myself more purpose, direction, and goals in my life. I am proud to say I am accepted, and planning on attending my local University this september to further build my character and quality of life."
Alviar previously apologized in court, in May, 2012. He turned himself into police shortly after the events last June,and after his picture appeared on a website outing suspected rioters.
"I want to apologize to the people of Vancouver for my part in the riot," Alviar said three months ago. "Instead of trying to keep the peace, I added to the chaos."
According to Huffington Post B.C., Alviar must also write an apology letter to Vancouver police chief Jim Chu.
