December 6: Remember

Sheryl Nadler, the Hamilton Spectator

Aly Ostrowski holds a rose for one of the 14 women shot and killed by Marc Lepine at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique on Dec. 6, 1989. Yesterday a small group gathered outside the John Hodgins Engineering Building at McMaster University in their memory.

From the McMaster Daily News:

McMaster remembers victims of Montreal Massacre

by Susan Bubak
December 06, 2007

The Montreal Massacre happened 18 years ago today, but for some people, the memory of Dec. 6, 1989 is as vivid as if it happened yesterday.

McMaster's Anti-Violence Network is keeping the memory of that tragic day alive with a memorial service in front of the John Hodgins Engineering Building at 12:30 p.m. today.

The service will not only commemorate the 14 female engineering students who were shot and killed at Montreal's Ecole Polytechnique, but all victims of violence.

"It's a way of giving a voice to those who have no voice," said Carol Wood, ecumenical chaplain. "Violence still continues, and we need to remind others that it's not acceptable."

The memorial service will include a poetry reading by two McMaster students and a presentation of roses for those who have lost their lives to violence.

Hanna Schayer of the Anti-Violence Network said it's important to remember the victims of the Montreal Massacre because "the struggle continues. Violence against women has not abated. It's a fundamental issue in our society."

She said she looks forward to the day when memorial services will no longer be necessary because violence against women will be a thing of the past.

"The Montreal Massacre was horrific, but we learned something from it," said Schayer. "It's not just remembering, but creating a world where it doesn't happen again."

[Well put Hanna, thanks! And a nice photo in the Spec Friday, of Aly, an OPIRG Board member]