It will be a reminder that it can happen anywhere, even in our own community.
That’s what Tanya MacKinnon, Director at Maggie’s Resource Centre, says about the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Woman. They will be holding a march and candlelight vigil tomorrow afternoon. “Every year that we do this we see some growth in the people that attend,” MacKinnon says. She adds that it’s a reminder that domestic violence does happen in our community.
The day is set to remember the École Polytechnique massacre that happened in Montreal in 1989. A man walked into the school and killed 14 female students. In 1991, the Parliament of Canadian commemorated the anniversary of the event by creating the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Woman.
MacKinnon says that it’s important for woman and men to be involved in events like these. “It’s important to have other men who are allies stand up and say no that’s not okay, you can’t treat someone like that just because they’re a woman,” she says. “It’s nice to see other men setting an example,” she adds.
MacKinnon mentioned that just before last year’s march, Basil Borutski of Wilno, Ontario in Renfrew County was sentenced for the murder of three of his former partners. MacKinnon says that was a reminder that domestic violence does happen in our community.
“Are we there yet for equality? Absolutely not, but we are getting closer to gender equality,” MacKinnon says.
The march starts at 4 PM at Millenium Park and ends at 6 at Maggie’s Resource Centre. Refreshments will be served after at the Centre.