TORONTO, Dec. 4, 2013 – December 6, 2013 marks the 24th anniversary of the Montreal Massacre, a tragic act of gender-based violence where fourteen young women were singled out for their gender and murdered on the campus of L’École Polytechnique in Montréal. In 1991, the Parliament of Canada established December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women in Canada.

To commemorate the National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women, York University’s Centre for Human Rights invites the community to come together for an event on December 5 to remember all individuals who have been impacted by gender-based violence. White ribbons will be distributed in Vari Hall as a symbol of the commitment to end violence against women.

Event highlights include:

• 11:30 am: Opening ceremony, Aboriginal Elder Laureen Waters
• 11:40 am: Remarks, York University President Mamdouh Shoukri
• 11:45 am: Keynote Speaker, Dr. Tania Das Gupta (Undergraduate Program Director, Department of Equity Studies)
• 12:00 pm: Moment of silence and lighting of candles
• 12:10 pm: Remarks, Chenthoori Malankov – Sexual Assault Survivors’ Support Line
• 12:15 pm – Closing Remarks, Itzel Velasquez M. – Trans, Bi, Lesbian, Gay Allies at York

Resource tables in the rotunda of Vari Hall will share information and materials following the event.

For more information, see the event poster.

What: National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women commemorative event

Where: Vari Hall, Room 3009 – York University Keele campus (Building 30 on the map)

When: Thursday, December 5, 2013 – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Note: Media are invited to cover this commemorative event. Please contact Media Relations with interview requests.

York University is helping to shape the global thinkers and thinking that will define tomorrow. York’s unwavering commitment to excellence reflects a rich diversity of perspectives and a strong sense of social responsibility that sets us apart. A York U degree empowers graduates to thrive in the world and achieve their life goals through a rigorous academic foundation balanced by real-world experiential education. As a globally recognized research centre, York is fully engaged in the critical discussions that lead to innovative solutions to the most pressing local and global social challenges. York’s 11 faculties and 28 research centres are thinking bigger, broader and more globally, partnering with 288 leading universities worldwide. York's community is strong − 55,000 students, 7,000 faculty and staff, and more than 250,000 alumni.

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Media Contact: Tabassum Siddiqui, Media Relations, York University, 416 736 2100 x 44543 / tsiddiq@yorku.ca