In commemoration of one of Canada’s worst acts of violence against women, several events are taking place on Dec. 6 in Nanaimo to further the discussion on gender violence and help prevent future atrocities.
On Dec. 6, 1989, Marc Lepine walked into the École Polytechnique in Montreal, the largest engineering school in Canada, separated the men from the women at gunpoint, and then gunned down 14 women.
Lepine, 25, injured 14 others before turning the gun on himself. The event became known as the Montreal Massacre, and in 1991 Parliament established Dec. 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women to not only mourn the 14 women, but to acknowledge all women and girls who have met with violence in their lives.
Violence against women remains the leading cause of women’s homelessness today, with more than 100,000 women and children leaving their homes for emergency shelters every year.
To continue the conversation on gender violence, Fibber McGees, at 321 Selby St., will host a slideshow and open mike for people who want to share their views, experiences, inspiration and mentors in the fight to respect all voices and forms of knowledge. The event takes place from 7-9 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 6) on the top floor of the pub. Donations of $2-$5 will be accepted at the door to provide a scholarship for First Nations women entering social services at Vancouver Island University. CHLY 101.7 will also enter the discussion with a panel on anti-violence activism on Thursday from 1-2 p.m. during its Be The Media segment, and VIU is participating on its Facebook page at www.facebook.com/
VIUStatusOfWomen.