Vigils held to mark 25th anniversary of Montreal massacre

December 11, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Angela Gismonde
Family Transition Place and Caledon Public Library held a candlelight vigil last Thursday to mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.
The ceremony was held at the Albion-Bolton branch of the Library.
Dec. 6 marked the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada. The day was established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, marking the anniversary of the horrific murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. They died because they were women.
“On this day 25 years ago, 14 women were going about their last normal day on earth,” said Norah Kennedy, executive director of Family Transition Place. “We can only imagine what their lives might have held — what the world has missed by not having their voices their brains. None of these women ever had the chance. December 6, 1989, should have been another normal day. It wasn’t. It was far from normal.”
The solemn vigils, held Thursday in Bolton and Friday in Orangeville, provided an opportunity to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in society, 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 which the community can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
“Twenty five years ago I was a young woman embarking on life — working at something I loved, with interesting people, in a relationship, looking forward to a time when I would have children,” explained Kennedy. “I suspect I was like many young women of my generation — we were starting to believe we could have it all — families and careers; universities were open to us, career opportunities were expanding, women had had control of our reproductive rights for some time. Life was good. When the massacre at the L’Ecole Polytenchinque occurred in December of 1989, all that changed. The viciousness and deliberateness of the act — the vitriol against feminism, the ugliness of the hatred of women — not people — women because women ‘dared’ to be enrolled in programs that a man had been denied entry to, shattered that little fantasy world once and for all.”
She questioned how far society has come.
“In a year that has been particularly rife with media stories about men with fame or in positions of power committing acts of violence against women — entertainers, broadcasters, Members of Parliament, football players — it is easy to think that perhaps we have not come far at all, despite all the work, the heartache, the good intentions,” Kennedy commented.
The roots of violence run deep, she said, and women’s bodies are often portrayed as sex objects in advertising, music and video games
“One of the things that gets missed in the discussion of days like December 6, 1989, is the connection between that one horrific act of violence and the everyday acts of sexism and misogyny,” Kennedy observed. “It is too easy to dismiss a particularly horrific act of violence like this as the ‘snapping’ of a mad man. But there is a cultural context that allows the violence to happen. It seems like a big stretch to say that the comments and cat calls from men as a woman walks down the street are precursors to shooting 14 women in cold blood, but the connection is there. It is in fact all part of a continuum.”
There is still a long way to go, she added.
“Because December 6 happened . . . we know that we still have much work to do,” Kennedy said. “And a large part of that work is too big for us to do alone because we need to change the culture. This is a social movement. And a movement, because it is so massive, is slow. As our friends on the MENtors committee will say — we need to ‘redefine masculinity.’ We have to educate men and boys that they do not have to be threatened by women wanting equality.”
She asked everyone to make a commitment.
“We would like to ask each of you, when, in a few minutes, I will ask you to take a moment to reflect and make a commitment to do something this year to contribute to equality between the genders and to ending violence,” said Kennedy. “It doesn’t have to be big. It can be as simple as vowing to yourself that the next time you hear a sexist joke or comment that you speak up. In doing so, you help educate others that big acts of violence often stem from small acts of disrespect, but that small acts of respect can help change the world.”
Family Transition Place will always be there to support women in need in Dufferin and Caledon.
“I pledge that as long as violence against women exists, as long as women aren’t safe in their own homes, for as long as inequality between the genders persists, we at FTP will continue to work with women, youth, men and boys to educate them and help them grow. As long as women need refuge and support, we will not give up working to support them and keep them safe,” said Kennedy. “We will not despair. We will not walk away. We will go on.”
Dave Quinton was on-hand to speak about MENtors and the Headwaters White Ribbon Campaign, a group of men working to end violence against women.
“Gender-based violence has no place in our community,” said Quinton. “Please remember these victims not just today, but keep them in your thoughts often and in your prayers and actions.”
Student Emily Rowsell shared a personal story with the group gathered for the vigil. As a high school student, gender-based violence did not affect her. Since starting university she now knows of three women and three incidents.
“They didn’t want to report what happened because there is a stigma around violence against women,” said Rowsell. “The scars are still there and they walk around knowing they are victims of gender based violence. Gender inequality is an issue that needs to be addressed.”
Pina Marino of Caledon-Dufferin Victim Services also spoke at the vigil.
“The world has lost beautiful souls,” said Marino. “Let us all remember what they stood for. It is a basic human right to live a life free of violence.”
Caledon OPP officer Lori Mournahan said the police service has proactive programs aimed at preventing violence against women. Officers are also trained to deal with gender-based violence.
“Even though the voices of these women have been silenced, their spirit lives on,” she said.
Caledon Councillor Doug Beffort said the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is a time to reflect on this tragedy.
“As a councillor representing my residents, I will commit to being a public advocate to strengthen the fight against violence against women and to pledge to never contain these acts, or remain silent,” said Beffort.
Kelley Potter, a Caledon community member and volunteer, also spoke out on violence against women.
“What is going on in the world today can sometimes be daunting,” said Potter. “It is important for us to understand we are not powerless to end violence against women and girls. The 14 women and what they will not be able to experience, the senselessness of it all — nothing can be said to explain away the tragedy of being murdered just because you are a woman.”
The ceremony concluded with a reading of the 14 names of the women who died at l’École Polytechnique Dec. 6 1989 and a reflection on the tragedy.