The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women is being held at the Woodstock courthouse on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.
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In just 20 minutes, Marc Lépine shot dead 14 women and injured 14 others, including four men, before turning the gun on himself.
It’s been almost 27 years since a 25-year-old Lépine, armed with a Mini-14 rifle and a hunting knife, walked into a classroom at École Polytechnique where he separated the women and the men.
Known as the Montreal Massacre, on Dec. 6, 1989, Lépine claimed during the shootings that he was "fighting feminism."
Moving through the hallways and cafeteria, Lépine, specifically targeted women to attack.
In his suicide note, he blamed feminists for ruining his life, and included a list of 19 Quebec women whom Lépine considered to be feminists and wished to kill.
In Oxford County the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women will mark this horrible day in history on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Oxford County courthouse monument.
The event will support the 16 Days of Activism highlighted by Zonta.
“We mourn for the loss of life of the victims of the Montreal Massacre as we focus upon continued change and action within violence against women,” said Linda Smith of the Oxford County Regional Labour Council, which, alongside the Family Violence Counselling Program, is planning the local event.
Smith said the mobilization to end gender violence should not be limited to one day and all parts of the community must work together to end violence through advocacy and education.
“Remembering is not enough, we must take action,” she said.
Giselle Lutfallah, of the Family Violence Counselling Program and who also sits on planning committee for the Day of Remembrance, said that violence against women happens around the world.
“Violence against women is a global problem and not limited to a specific group of women in society with the forms of violence shaped differently based on factors such as sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, class, age and nationality, she said. “Poverty, isolation from family and friends, language difficulties, and homelessness contribute to the victimization of the most vulnerable women in society.”
If you go:
What: National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
Where: Oxford County Court House monument
When: Dec. 6 at 6 p.m.