Vigils took place on Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Surrey, Richmond, Langley and Cloverdale campuses at noon yesterday remembering the 14 women who died in the Montreal massacre in 1989.
In Surrey, the vigil took place in the courtyard against the background of the memorial garden. As the name of each victim of the Montreal massacre was read, a red rose was placed, and a candle, protected against the drizzle, was lit to remember each woman.
The vigils, hosted by the Kwantlen Faculty Association, remember not only the victims of the Montreal massacre, but all women who have died as a result of gender-based violence. Jamie Cooper, of the Surrey Women’s Centre, Surrey MLAs Harry Bains, Sue Hammell and Bruce Ralston joined Kwantlen faculty, staff, employees and students in the remembrance. People were invited to wear white to show support for ending violence against all women.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women was established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada and is held annually on December 6. The Kwantlen Faculty Association has been hosting vigils on campus to commemorate the date since the early 1990s.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for more than 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts and science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 17,500 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations.
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