December 6: the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre

On
December 6, 1989, a 25 year-old man named Marc Lepine walked into the University of Montreal's School of Engineering
Building with semi-automatic rifle.  He
began a shooting spree during which he murdered fourteen women and injured
thirteen others: nine women and four men. 
Lepine believed it was because of women students that he was not
accepted to the engineering school. Before killing himself, he left an
explanatory letter behind which contained a tirade against feminists as well as
a list of nineteen prominent women whom he particularly despised.

The
fourteen women who were murdered in the massacre were: Anne-Marie Edward,
Anne-Marie Lemay, Annie St. Arneault, Annie Turcotte, Barbara Daigneault,
Barbara Maria Klueznick, Genevieve Bergeron, Helen Colgan, Maud Haviernick,
Maryse Laganiere, Maryse Leclair, Michele Richard, Natalie Croteau and Sonia
Pelletier.

These
women became symbols, tragic representatives, of the injustice against
women.  Women's groups across the country
organized vigils, marches and memorials. 
There was an increase in support for educational programs and resources
to reduce violence against women.  Both
federal and provincial governments made commitments to end violence against
women.  In 1991, the Canadian government
proclaimed December 6^th National Day of Remembrance and Action on
Violence Against Women. 

To
learn more, please visit: www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/dates/dec6/index_e.html

Oxfam
Canada
is participating in events across the country. Please refer to our Events
section to find out what's happening in your region.