Canadian John Gallagher, killed fighting ISIS in Syria, to be repatriated Friday, group says
Public ceremony to be held in Toronto at a later date
John Gallagher, 32, was killed in Syria earlier this month fighting Islamic militants.
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John Robert Gallagher's body starting journey home, says mom
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Mother of John Robert Gallagher, killed fighting ISIS, awaits return of son's remains
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Mother of John Gallagher, killed fighting ISIS, remembers son as human rights activist
The group is encouraging people to line bridges along the highway to pay their respects, and says a public ceremony will be held in Toronto at a later date.
On November 4, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights in London said it was informed Gallagher died when an ISIS militant "detonated himself" during fighting in the al-Hool area of Syria.
In an interview with CBC News, Gallagher's mother said she would like him to be remembered as a passionate defender of human rights.
"If people reading about him could take away that there are causes that are worth thinking about and that are worth engaging in," Valerie Carder told CBC News.
"It's not just enough to sit back and go, 'I'm glad I was born in Canada. Being here, there's a responsibility, and if I believe that I should be willing to act on my beliefs.'"