December 6, 1989 - Massacre at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal.

I just received an e-mail with the information posted below this plaque.

I remember well, the events and the horror of that terrible day. 

Some of you may be too young to remember the dreadful act of December 6, 1989, but today, as they have done on this date for the past 22 years, Canadians will remember.  This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart, which is why I am passing it on.

22 years ago, a gunman entered a classroom that day at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal and gunned down 24 young women. Fourteen of them died.

All 24 were targeted simply because they were female.

In 1991 the Parliament of Canada established December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada to mark the anniversary of the attack.

Violence against women does not only include physical acts of violence such as those committed at l'École Polytechnique de Montréal.

Take a moment to consider these sobering facts: 

•       Every minute of every day, a Canadian woman or child is sexually assaulted; 
•       One to two women are murdered by a current or former partner each week in Canada; 
•       Women continue to outnumber men nine to one as victims of assault by a spouse or partner; 
•       The number of spousal violence incidents against women has declined since 2000 while the rate of violence perpetrated by boyfriends has increased.

As well as commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in an act of gender-based violence that shocked the nation, December 6 represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society. It is also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality, and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. Finally, it is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.

For more information about the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women please visit the Status of Women Canada (SWC)

website http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/dates/vaw-vff/index-eng.html

or visit the silent witness website http://www.silentwitness.ca/


Monica