On December 6, 1989, 14 women studying at the École Polytechnique in Montreal were killed. December 6 is now a solemn day for remembering victims, but also a day of action against violence. It’s a day to remember the women affected and killed, and to re-commit to working for change.
A series of events around the Brock University campus Tuesday, Dec. 6 will mark the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Two events have been organized by students in Brock Labour Studies’ Women, Work and Unions class:
Information Table in Mackenzie Chown Hallway: 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
A booth will be staffed primarily by male students and faculty in the Labour Studies program. All Brock community members are welcome to stop by and demonstrate their commitment to ending gender-based violence. White ribbons, a symbol of men’s commitment to working to end violence against women, will be distributed.
Candlelight Vigil in Healing Garden: 5 – 5:30 p.m.
A vigil will be held in the new Healing Garden outside the Cairns Complex Tuesday afternoon to honour women who have been harmed and killed by violence. Interim President Tom Traves and Brock’s Sexual Violence Coordinator Allison Cadwallader will be in attendance for some short formal proceedings.
A memorial and lunch has also been co-ordinated.
Remembrance Service at Isaac’s: Noon
A remembrance service in honour of the National Day of Remembrance and Action will be held at Isaac’s. The event is co-sponsored by BUFA, CUPE, OSSTF & Women’s and Gender Studies. Lunch is included for the $10 ticket price, with proceeds benefiting A Safer Brock. Donations will also be accepted for Gillian’s Place.
Throughout the day people are encouraged to join the national conversation about the day of remembrance and action by using the hashtags #December6 #ActionsMatter and #EndViolenceAgainstWomen.
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Along with organizing some of Tuesday’s events, students in Brock’s Women, Work and Unions class also designed a series of awareness posters about the issue. They can be found below:
