| LOCAL | |  |
|
 |
|
| Last updated at 1:33 AM on 06/12/07 |
Memorial to commemorate Montreal Massacre 
The Western Star
CORNER BROOK — People in Corner Brook have an opportunity to commemorate the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women today.
The Corner Brook Status of Women Council, Committee on Family Violence and the Western Regional Coalition to End Violence will be holding a memorial service in the main lobby of College of the North Atlantic at 11:30 a.m. The vigil will be held in recognition of the 14 women who were murdered on Dec. 6, 1989, at L’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal.
The Corner Brook Women’s Centre is also hosting a free soup luncheon in observance of the day between 12:30 and 2 p.m. An open invitation to the general public is extended to both events.
The provincial government recognizes the provincewide effort to remember the victims of the Montreal Massacre during the national day of remembrance.
“These victims were targeted simply because they were women and had chosen to study engineering, a field traditionally dominated by men,” said Joan Burke, minister responsible for the Status of Women and lead minister of the Violence Prevention Initiative.
“As a student in Ontario at that time, I will never forget the shock and disbelief of this senseless crime.”
As a memorial to the 14 women, and to all those who have lost their lives to violence, the flags outside the Confederation Building will be flown at half mast today. In addition, members of the House of Assembly will be wearing purple ribbons to symbolize the lives that have been lost to violence, and the work that remains to be done to combat violence in Newfoundland and Labrador.
“While we remember this tragic event, we must also recognize that violence against women is still all around us,” Burke said.
“This is why it is critical that we all take an active role to help end violence. Governments, communities and individuals can make a difference.”
NDP Leader Lorraine Michael joined the thousands throughout the country speaking out on violence against women.
“Dec. 6 is a time for remembering all women who are murdered for no reason other than they are women,” Michael said. “More than remembering, we must take action to stop these murders of women.”
She urges government to put into operation the recommendations from the recently released Purple Heart Campaign, which looked at access to justice in Labrador. The report offers recommendations designed to help women who are victims of violence to gain full access to the justice system in this province.
Michael also highlighted the Statistics Canada report, Statistical Trends 2006, that showed Newfoundland and Labrador was the only jurisdiction to show a rise in spousal violence between 1999 and 2004.
“We all have a role to play in making our communities safe places to live,” she said.
“Only by speaking out and working together can we bring awareness to this issue and help put an end to violence.”
|
06/12/07
|
|
|
|
1
