(Government of Canada)

By Sheldon Spackman

Day Of Remembrance

Local vigils planned for National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women

Dec 5, 2019 | 2:51 PM

Central Albertans are encouraged to take time Friday to honour those who have experienced gender- based violence.

It’s been 30 years since the tragic mass shooting at École Polytechnique de Montréal on Dec. 6, 1989, that saw the lives of 14 young women violently cut short by an armed man.

The senseless act of targeted violence shook the nation and led Parliament to designate December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women.

Local vigils are planned to mark the anniversary and raise awareness of the role we all play in creating a culture of respect and taking meaningful action to ensure that similar tragedies like the one in Montreal never happen again.

The vigils will take place at Red Deer City Hall from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., and at the Lacombe Memorial Centre from 6:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.

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They will feature guest speakers and are a partnership between the Central Alberta Women’s Emergency Shelter (CAWES). Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC), and Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC).

CASASC executive director Patricia Arango says it’s an opportunity to remember all women killed because of their gender.

“We need to keep bringing people together to remember and reflect on what is happening,” says Arango. “We need to keep involving the community in this kind of reflection and create an awareness everywhere and every day that its possible. My interest is to make sure that people understand it happens in other places, but also in Red Deer.”

Arango hopes events like these help people be more sensitive to and aware of gender-based violence.

“Sexual assault crimes against women are preventable,” says Arango. “We need to work together to protect each other, and respect each other. Then one day we can see less and less crime against women.”

Arango says statistics indicate more than 63,000 Canadian women report gender-based violence each year.