TORONTO, December 5, 2003 -- Fourteen women will be remembered today by the York community as part of the National Day of Remembrance. The 14 were shot and killed at Montreal’s Ecole Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989. Since then, communities and organizations across Canada have held annual vigils and memorials to help expose the problem of violence against women. This year marks the 14th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.
York’s commemoration of Women's Remembrance Day will be held a day in advance of the anniversary to make the event accessible to students, faculty and staff. The memorial, taking place in the Vari Hall Rotunda, will feature two videos that will run continuously throughout the day.
Each video focuses on the issue of violence against women. "Without Fear" looks at the lives of six women who have survived violence and outlines changes that could help reduce the problem. "After the Montreal Massacre" gives the story of the life of Sylvia Gagnon, a survivor of the Montreal Massacre. The video links the tragic events of 1989 with the broader issue of violence against women. Heike Santiago and Julia King will also perform live music from 12-1:30pm.
The event is significant because it brings renewed attention to the issue of violence against women. "It’s important that people move forward, but we can never forget what happened that day and we have to stay educated because things like this can happen again," said Yvonne Chiu of York’s Office of the Advisor to the University on the Status of Women.
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For further information, please contact:
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Nancy White |
David Fuller |
YU/146/03
