Skip to content

Victorians to gather for White Ribbon Day

Ceremony will mark the 28th anniversary of women killed in Montreal Massacre
9603328_web1_VNE-WhiteRibbonDay
Widely known as White Ribbon Day, Dec. 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Screenshot

Twenty-eight years ago, 14 women were gunned down as they sat in their classrooms at École Polytechnique in Montreal, shot by a man who claimed he was fighting feminism.

This year, Victorians will gather on Dec. 6 – the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women – at the Montreal Massacre memorial, to honour the memory of the women who lost their lives. In 1991, the Parliament of Canada declared the anniversary of the massacre, also known as White Ribbon Day, a time to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women to speak out against it and to recognize the impact it has on victims, their families and friends.

At 8:30 a.m., there will be an acknowledgement of gathering on the traditional lands of the Lekwungen speaking people of the Esquimalt and Songhees First Nations, and the names of the dead will be recited followed by a moment of silent reflection and prayer.

Those who wish to lay flowers at the memorial in Holland Point Park, on Dallas Road at the foot Government St., are encouraged to do so.

kristyn.anthony@vicnews.com