The ThunderBlogs

Fourteen women were murdered and ten were injured at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal in Montreal. Marc Lépine walked into an engineering class, asked the men to leave, and opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at the women remaining. Then he shot himself. This happened on the 6th of December, 1989.

Twenty-one years later, in 2010, the statistics around male violence towards women are still shocking. Globally, one in three women have suffered from some form of male violence. The Vancouver Relief and Women’s Shelter hosts a yearly event at the Vancouver Public Library in memory of murdered women.

A group of women met in East Vancouver this Thursday to plan the 2010 Montreal Massacre memorial. The goal of the memorial is to build solidarity amongst women, and also to raise awareness about male violence against women. Drug-facilitated rape, domestic violence, sexual assault, poverty, police accountability, the rape shield law, prostitution, and the marginalization of native and aboriginal women are some of the many issues that plague present-day Canada.

Daisy Kler, member of the VRRWS Collective and prominent Vancouver feminist, had a vision for the theme of the memorial. “’Reopening’ is a word that comes to mind,” said Kler. She added that she was thoughtful about a recent rape of a teenaged girl at a rave in Pitt Meadows. The spread of photographs of the rape through facebook had re-ignited concerns about child pornography. “I never though that pornography would come back as an issue,” said Kler, and described the complacency of society and the media about this issue. The theme is open to interpretation. It gives women a chance to work together, creating art that will engage and inspire the public.

Women at the meeting shared their experiences around organizing the memorial in previous years. One challenge has been to attract men to the event. “I wouldn’t say that involving men is an objective for me,” said Louisa Russell “it is more importantly a way to connect with women.” However, the women confirmed that they encourage men to participate.

The women volunteered time to design graphics, conceive the art installation that would occupy the atrium, and take care of guests and invited feminists. Other responsibilities that still need volunteers are: Set-up and take-down, audio recording of the speeches and discussions, pamphlet distribution and publicity.

To volunteer or get involved in any capacity, contact the Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter at 604 872 2228. As violence against women begins to make front-page news in Canada, the women’s shelter hopes that more people will come forward in resistance.

To see brochures from previous events, visit:
Vancouver Rape Relief and Women’s Shelter