Officials with Strait Area Women’s Place are holding a vigil for the anniversary of the Montreal Massacre Wednesday.
The attack took place Dec. 6, 1989; a gunman walked into École Polytechnique and killed 14 women at the engineering school.
Mary Elizabeth Cameron, the women’s services facilitator, says they hope to engage members of the community and help victims of abuse.
Cameron tells The Hawk it’s essential to hold the event.
“It’s very important for us women who work in the field to help victims of abuse,” she said. “It’s an important, almost sacred day- what it symbolizes is us bringing the message to the community that they do play a role.”
Cameron says a wide range of suffering can happen, and they want that to be known.
She says it’s a national day of remembrance and action to help victims of abuse.
Cameron says it’s important for community members to realize we can all do our part.
“It’s a ceremony of hope,” she says. “We hope that they walk away being able to speak out, to acknowledge that this happens, even in our own communities, to be able to speak out and not be the bystander.”
Cameron says government officials have moved forward since the massacre, but more needs to be done.