Dear colleagues and friends,
Today marks 33 years since the École Polytechnique massacre, also known as the Montreal massacre, which left 14 women dead and another 14 people injured. The December 6, 1989 shooting took place at the engineering school affiliated with Université de Montréal. The shooter claimed he was “fighting feminism” when he walked into a classroom and asked the men to leave the room. Once they did, he opened fire on the nine women left, killing six.
Let's not forget Geneviève Bergeron; Maryse Laganière; Hélène Colgan; Maryse Leclair; Nathalie Croteau; Anne-Marie Lemay; Barbara Daigneault; Sonia Pelletier; Anne-Marie Edward; Michèle Richard; Maud Haviernick; Annie St-Arneault; Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz; Annie Turcotte. The hatred that motivated this tragic mass shooting is still a very real threat for women in Canada and around the world. This is particularly true for marginalized and racialized women.
Today, let's all commit to standing up to hate crimes, and their precursors that give legitimacy to hate. No one is safe until we are all safe! Please use these hashtags on social media: #NationalDayofRemembranceandAction #EndViolenceAgainstWomen #Feminism #StandUp4Humanrights
Stay safe, stay well!
Respectfully,
Waheed Khan
President, National Consultation Team