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National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

by Mary Richard | December 5, 2008 at 08:18 pm

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Did you know that December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada? It was established in l99l by the Canadian Parliament, marking the anniversary of the murders in l989 of 14 young women at l'Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal.

On December 6th, 1989, armed with a semi-automatic rifle, ammunition and knives, Marc Lepine walked through l’École Polytechnique in Montreal, separated the men from the women, and then proceeded to shoot and kill 14 women while making anti-woman statements.

Thirteen others were wounded. Lepine, who eventually shot and killed himself, had applied for admission to the school and was rejected. In the suicide note he left behind, Lepine indicated that he saw feminists as being responsible for everything that had gone wrong in his life.

December 6, 2008, marks the 19th anniversary of what came to be known as the Montreal Massacre. Events are held throughout the country to remember the 14 women who were killed at l'École Polytechnique.

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Rhonda J Mangus

at 20:25 on December 5th, 2008

Blue Crush, I didn't know that December 6th is the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. Thank you for this reminder to remember. It really is very sad.

rumana husain

at 22:56 on December 5th, 2008

a remembrance day such as this is badly needed by us in southasia! thanks for the post.

ValRussell (not verified)

at 06:17 on December 6th, 2008

Thank you for posting this Blue Crush. The internet has become such an important and powerful device for reaching beyond those invisble boundaries that divide us. The eradication of violence against women is always uppermost in my mind. As a writer and a survivor of domestic violence, I make it a priority to use my art form to educate and enlighten those lost in the darkness of violence and fear. To the women who died that day: You will always be in our hearts and never forgotten. Perhaps one day all women and children will be able to live without fear, that is my hope.