December 6: National day of Remembrance and Action to end Violence against Women

The Women’s Shoe Memorial in Kamloops was started by Lynn Chasse in honour of her mother whom she lost to domestic violence. December 6 marks the 25th Anniversary of the Montreal massacre.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal, where 14 women were singled out and murdered because of their gender. A CUPE member who worked at the school was one of the murdered women.

Over 50 per cent of Canadian women will experience an incident of violence sometime in their lives.

On December 6 we remember the women who died and re-commit to taking action on violence against women and girls until our communities, campuses and homes are safe.  Attend one of the organized events to remember and commit to work to end violence against women. 

Cowichan Valley, B.C.
November 25 to December 10
A Purple Light Nights event is an invitation to residents to hang strings of purple lights in our homes, business windows, and downtown trees to show our support that “Gender Violence Has No Place In Our Community”. Get more information at facebook.com/cowichantogetheragainstviolence

Kamloops
Pull Violence Against Women Out of the Closet (by Pulling Shoes out of Yours)
Help commemorate the lives of women who have been killed by violence by donating women’s and girls’ shoes to the December 6 Shoe Memorial.

11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s on the Square (159 Seymour Street)

Donated shoes will be displayed with names of women who have been killed or are missing.  After the December 6 service, shoes will be donated to the Y Women’s Shelter.  Contact: [email protected].  

Nanaimo
VIDC Labour Council Meeting
At the December 6 meeting, Vancouver Island District Council Women's Committee will be lighting a symbolic candle and each committee member will talk about a different aspect of December 6 such as violence affecting aboriginal women‎, young women, children in poverty, etc.

Surrey
4th Annual Candlelight Vigil
Sponsored by the BC Federation of Labour and the PSAC West Fraser Valley Area Council. Holland Park, (13428 Old Yale Road, Surrey) from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. 

Vancouver
December 6 Workshops at VPL
Vancouver Rape Relief shelter and Women's Center is holding workshops at the Vancouver Public Library (350 West Georgia Street) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Films, workshops and discussion.

http://www.rapereliefshelter.bc.ca/learn/resources/program-montreal-massacre-memorial-2014-0

Remember Our Sisters Everywhere
10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Thornton Park (1100 Block of Main Street at Terminal Ave.)
Participants will be draping benches around the women's memorial with black and placing roses, followed by a Women Transforming Cities Café nearby.

11th Annual Shoe Memorial
Vancouver Art Gallery, speakers at 1 p.m. This memorial will recognize each woman who has died in B.C. as a result of violence. Each woman will be represented by a pair of shoes and a name. Volunteers will be present from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to answer questions and provide information.

Please email photos from your local Day of Remembrance and Action to end Violence against Women events to [email protected].  

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