by Tristan Lettieri
You may see some empty chairs scattered around campus this week. They are not an accident. They are a statement. Samir Abdi of the Seneca Student Federation says the empty chairs symbolize the lives of women that are lost, who will not be able to fill the seat. It’s part of the #ENDVIOLENCE campaign.
Dec. 6, 1989 is a day that changed our country. On that day 14 women were killed at L’Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal by Marc Lepine, in what was seen as a direct example of gender-based violence.
Violence against women is still a relevant constraint on our society and it is up to us and our culture to grow-up. Tomorrow marks The National Day of Remembrance & Action on Violence Against Women. Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, Dec 6th is a day of mourning.
Humanity has accomplished many feats, innovations and advancements here on our time on earth. We credit great minds with pioneering us into the future, with improvements that we are so proud of. We boast of our ability to be connected with the world around us. We advertise on our social media’s of all the new foods, and activities that we share so gladly. We have come so far from our hunter and gatherer ancestors, yet some aspects of our existence haven’t changed with the same pace.
Marking December 6th on your calendar as a day of reflection and remembrance is a start but women’s rights activists say there is much more we can do. Events and memorials will be held across the country such as the one taking place at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The Canadian Federation of University Women invite everyone to honor those women who died in violence. The event will begin at 6pm at 54 Queen St. Kitchener Ontario.
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