National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
December 6th is a special day in Canada. Fifteen years ago, fourteen women were just going about their day at l'École Polytechnique, University of Montréal's engineering school. They were shot by a 25-year-old man who burst into some classrooms. He separated men and women, and killed some of the women. He then committed suicide. In a letter he was carrying on him, he said feminists ruined his life. He had been refused admission to Polytechnique, and felt women had taken his spot. Regardless of this man's issues and reasons for committing such an atrocious act, this event was a powerful catalyst to enact stricter gun control in Canada, and bring awareness to violence against women, especially domestic violence. The gun control movement has been led by one of the women who was studying at the school at the time of the tragedy.
I was a child when this event occured but I still remember so much of it. On the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, I saw a documentary about the aftermath of the event. It was so troubling to see the guilt and sadness still carried by the women witnessed this shooting but were spared, were wounded but survived and by the men who felt they didn't do enough to stop the shooter.
Above and beyond this event, this is a day where women say no to being victimized, and stand up for themselves. This doesn't just apply to Canadian women but to women around the globe. There will be memorials as well as candlelight vigils held across Canada today commemorating all women who have fallen victim to violence. I've attended them in the last few years, and they are powerful display of feminine solidarity. Those are times when I really believe we can make the world a better place. I hope you stop for a few seconds to wish for a world without violence towards women.
As you may have noticed, I never mentioned this shooter by name because he is not the one we should remember. May you rest in peace: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Maria Klueznick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie Saint-Arneault, and Annie Turcotte. I'll wear my white ribbon today, and be grateful I'm able to study in peace.
I was a child when this event occured but I still remember so much of it. On the 10th anniversary of the tragedy, I saw a documentary about the aftermath of the event. It was so troubling to see the guilt and sadness still carried by the women witnessed this shooting but were spared, were wounded but survived and by the men who felt they didn't do enough to stop the shooter.
Above and beyond this event, this is a day where women say no to being victimized, and stand up for themselves. This doesn't just apply to Canadian women but to women around the globe. There will be memorials as well as candlelight vigils held across Canada today commemorating all women who have fallen victim to violence. I've attended them in the last few years, and they are powerful display of feminine solidarity. Those are times when I really believe we can make the world a better place. I hope you stop for a few seconds to wish for a world without violence towards women.
As you may have noticed, I never mentioned this shooter by name because he is not the one we should remember. May you rest in peace: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Barbara Maria Klueznick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie Saint-Arneault, and Annie Turcotte. I'll wear my white ribbon today, and be grateful I'm able to study in peace.