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Memorial for 14 women murdered because ‘they were feminists’

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Canada.com reports on a memorial held on December 6th each year to remember 14 women murdered over 20 years ago.

On December 6, 1989, a lone gunman entered L’Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal and opened fire, killing 14 women before killing himself. In his suicide note, he said he killed the women because they were feminists.

This event, known as the Montreal Massacre, brought the problem of violence against women to the attention of the Canadian public.

Every year, on December 6, memorials are held all across Canada in memory of the 14 women, as well as over 500 missing and/or murdered aboriginal women, and all women who have died as a result of male violence.

The annual “Shoe Memorial” will be held on the plaza of the Comox Valley Art Gallery on Monday from 10am-4 pm.

Rows of empty women’s shoes, many containing cards with information about murdered women, are a mute testimonial to the ongoing violence. In the evening, there will be a candlelight vigil on the lawn of the Court House at 7 pm.

Anne Davis of the Comox Transition Society says, “We hope people will stop by through the day for a few quiet moments at the Art Gallery, to honour the memory of the women we have lost, or join us in the evening for a brief vigil. We welcome women, men and children to both these events.”

A moving testament.

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