On December 6, 1989, an armed man walked into an engineering class at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. After forcing the men to leave, he stated that he hated feminists. He started shooting the women in the class, then beyond it. At the end of his killing rampage, he shot himself.
As a result of these acts of violence, and the link women made between these acts and everyday sexism, Canada established December 6th as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The day marks not only the anniversary of the massacre, but also reminds us of acts of gender-based violence against women in Canada and around the world. As a day of action, it prompts us to take steps to end violence against women.
Purple ribbons worn November 25th to December 10th symbolize support for the elimination of violence against women.
