Thirty-six years ago, a chilling act of hatred shattered the peaceful halls of Polytechnique Montreal. Fourteen women, bright and promising engineering students, were brutally murdered in a deliberate and calculated attack fueled by misogyny.
Today, the nation pauses to remember Genevieve Bergeron, Helene Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganiere, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michele Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz – their lives stolen in an instant.
An early morning ceremony will unfold at Polytechnique, where wreaths of pristine white roses will be laid before a commemorative plaque. It’s a solemn tribute, a visual representation of remembrance and respect for those lost.
The weight of this tragedy extends far beyond the school’s walls. Families, dignitaries, and political leaders will gather this evening, united in grief and resolve.
As darkness descends, Mount Royal will become a beacon of remembrance. Fifteen beams of light will pierce the night sky – fourteen for the women of Polytechnique, and one additional light added last year, a poignant acknowledgment of all victims of femicide.
The attack, carried out by Marc Lepine, wasn’t a random act of violence. He openly expressed his hatred of feminists, blaming them for his personal failures before taking his own life.
Thirteen others were wounded in the horrific event, forever bearing the scars of that day. Their pain serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching consequences of hate-fueled violence.
December 6th, now known as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women – often called White Ribbon Day – is a time for collective mourning and a renewed commitment to building a safer, more equitable world.
This day isn’t just about remembering the past; it’s about confronting the present and actively working to prevent future tragedies. It’s a call to challenge the ideologies that breed violence and to champion the rights and safety of all women.
