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 Peterborough commemorates December 6, 1989 with quiet vigils It's been 13 years since Marc Lepine walked into L'Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal with an automatic gun in his hand and began his work of death on December 6, 1989. Last Friday, Peterborough commemorated that day and all violence against Canadian women with quiet vigils across the city. "What we're doing is very simple," says Janet Bradley from Sir Sandford Fleming College. "But doing nothing was not an option. Hopefully we will at least raise awareness of the issue of violence against women, raise some funds, and provide resources for someone." Sir Sandford commemorated the day by selling 300
roses, flown in fresh from Ecuador on Wednesday night. The money raised
will be donated to the YWCA Hazel Bursary Fund, for women who have overcome
violence in their lives and are going on to post-secondary education.
A small vigil was also held at Cinema 379 on George Street for the afternoon. People were invited to come and write condolences, which will be sent to the families and friends of Lepine's victims.
Samantha says she remembers feeling disturbed, but not understanding the full implications of what Lepine was trying to express at that time. Now much more aware, Samantha says she has become passionate about women's issues, including preventing violence against them. She suggests that becoming a peaceful community begins with people taking personal responsibility to stop violence as seemingly minor as derogatory remarks. "When someone make a derogatory remark, we need to be saying, that's not funny. I don't think you should be saying that," she says. "If you don't say anything, that's the same as accepting it." Samantha is a member of the Women's Events Committee of Peterborough, comprised of several community organizations.
A December 6 vigil was also held at the Trent Women's Centre. December 6 was established as The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in 1991. |
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"I
was 13 when it happened," says Samantha Ball, who helped organize
this particular vigil. "I remember my social studies teacher coming
in and telling us about it. She was from Montreal. She was very, very
upset."
Bea
Quarrie of Cinema 379 says the new theatre has a particular interest in
social justice causes, which is why they offered their space for the vigil.
"We want the community to feel that this is place they can come to
and connect with others."