Dec. 6 Vigil
February 8, 2021
December 6th is the national Day of Remembrance and Action on violence against women. On that date in 1989, in what has become known as the Montréal Massacre, a gunman entered the École Polytechnique in Montréal, isolated, shot and killed 14 women before killing himself.
The White Ribbon campaign was begun in 1991 by a group of men who wanted to move beyond soul searching; to work together with women to end violence against women. Wearing a ribbon means choosing not only to remember the women who fell that day but those men and women who continue to be victims of violence.
It is estimated that only 50% of domestic violence incidents are reported. 10-20% of all men will be sexually violated in their lives. Today our country is ranked 5th in sexual assaults per capita out of every country in the world.
The lunchtime vigil, held in the Library, commemorated both the women who lost their lives during the massacre and to end all violence continuing now against both men and women. This day gave us an opportunity to recommit to stop violence against women and, more importantly, allowed us to honour and celebrate the lives of the 14 women who were killed.
