Polytechnique

2024 - 12 - 6

Remembering Tragedy: Polytechnique's Dark Past Lights the Way for Change!

ecole polytechnique -- polytechnique montreal Canada - gender-based violence - memorial - misogyny - Montreal - Nathalie Provost - vigil - violence against women - École Polytechnique - ecole polytechnique - polytechnique montreal

Join us as we honor the lasting legacy of the 14 women lost at Polytechnique, changing the conversation around violence against women 35 years later!

On December 6, 1989, a tragic event unfolded at the École Polytechnique in Montreal, where a lone gunman claimed the lives of 14 innocent women, spurring a national conversation on violence against women. As we mark the 35th anniversary of this heartbreaking massacre, the city of Montreal has set forth an array of vigils and events aimed at honoring the victims and fostering awareness about ongoing gender-based violence. The stories of those lost—Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, and Nathalie Croteau, among others—remain etched in our collective memory and serve as a solemn reminder of the work still needed to combat misogyny and empower women across Canada.

Survivors of that fateful day, like Nathalie Provost, have become powerful advocates for change, sharing their experiences and raising awareness about the prevalence of violence against women in all spheres of life. Events this past Friday included not only somber ceremonies but also a powerful illumination of the Montreal skyline with a 15th beam of light, symbolically honoring all women who have lost their lives or suffered due to gender-based violence. The message is clear: as the legacy of the Polytechnique remains alive, so must the commitment to creating safe spaces for women and challenging the status quo.

Critics of the ongoing violence argue that despite years of discussions and advancements in policy, much remains unchanged, with statistics showing that a staggering 80% of sexual assaults occur in the home and often involve someone known to the victim. With each anniversary, it becomes essential to ensure the victims are not merely numbers in a tragic event, but voices that resonate—calling for substantial reform and reminding the community of the importance of respect for all individuals, regardless of gender.

In the wake of these events, cities across Canada, from Toronto to Windsor, held moments of reflection and tributes, demonstrating a nationwide commitment to preventing gender-based violence. During the memorial ceremonies, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Montreal’s Mayor Valérie Plante laid down white roses for each victim, embodying a blend of sorrow and solidarity. The anniversary serves as both a remembrance of a dark day in Canada’s history and a resounding call to action for everyone to engage in the ongoing struggle against violence.

Interestingly, the École Polytechnique tragedy catalyzed not only national policy changes but also spurred grassroots movements emphasizing gender equity. The events led to the establishment of December 6 as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women in Canada, a day dedicated to reflection, education, and action, highlighting that vigilance is necessary in the fight against patriarchy. Just as the beam of light pierced through the Montreal sky this year, may our collective commitment to honor these women also reflect a brighter future for many generations to come.

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Image courtesy of "ICI.Radio-Canada.ca"

Polytechnique : « La blessure du 6 décembre 1989 appartient à tous ... (ICI.Radio-Canada.ca)

Annie Ross, qui devait se trouver dans la classe visée par le tueur de Polytechnique, avait décidé à la dernière minute de plutôt rester chez elle pour ...

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Image courtesy of "La Presse"

35 ans de l'attentat de Polytechnique | Le devoir de mémoire des ... (La Presse)

Sophie Beaudry refuse de regarder le film Polytechnique de Denis Villeneuve. Pas avant un bout, du moins. « Je ne veux pas le voir tant que je suis à ...

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Image courtesy of "Globalnews.ca"

Vigils, events to mark 35th anniversary of Polytechnique anti ... (Globalnews.ca)

Polytechnique Montréal will pay tribute Friday to the 14 young women who were murdered at the engineering school 35 years ago.

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Image courtesy of "Alliance de la Fonction publique du Canada"

Tuerie de la Polytechnique : 35 ans plus tard (Alliance de la Fonction publique du Canada)

En fait, 80 % des agressions sexuelles sont perpétrées à domicile et 70 % sont commises par une personne connue de la victime, comme un membre de la famille, un ...

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Image courtesy of "Le Journal de Montréal"

35 ans de la tuerie de Polytechnique: une journée de ... (Le Journal de Montréal)

Polytechnique Montréal a soufflé vendredi sur la 35e bougie de la tuerie de masse qui a coûté la vie à 14 femmes, le 6 décembre 1989.

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

Montreal to shine with 15th beam in tribute to all murdered women ... (CBC.ca)

For the first time, an additional beam of light will illuminate the Montreal sky Friday in tribute to all women lost to violence, as the city commemorates ...

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Image courtesy of "Public Service Alliance of Canada"

Marking 35 years of the L'École Polytechnique Massacre (Public Service Alliance of Canada)

Women continue to experience sexual assault and harassment at home, in public, online and in the workplace. In fact, 80% of sexual assaults occur in someone's ...

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Image courtesy of "CityNews Montreal"

IN PHOTOS: Remembering the École Polytechnique massacre (CityNews Montreal)

The Montreal massacre, which took place 35 years ago on Friday, sparked a national discussion about violence against women and drove major public policy changes ...

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Image courtesy of "Yahoo News Canada"

Remembering Montreal's École Polytechnique massacre 35 years ... (Yahoo News Canada)

The 14 victims of the Dec.6, 1989 shootings at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal are shown in file photos. Top row (left to right) Genevieve Bergeron, ...

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Image courtesy of "98,5 fm"

Massacre de Polytechnique: «35 ans plus tard, la haine à l'égard ... (98,5 fm)

À l'occasion de sa revue de presse, vendredi, Paul Arcand aborde la tuerie de l'École polytechnique de Montréal, survenue il y a 35 ans aujourd'hui.

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Image courtesy of "Radio Canada International (en)"

Polytechnique murderer Marc Lépine had her on his kill list. She ... (Radio Canada International (en))

35 years ago, 14 women were killed, 14 others were injured in Montreal massacre.

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Image courtesy of "TVA Nouvelles"

35 ans de la tuerie de Polytechnique: une journée de ... (TVA Nouvelles)

Polytechnique Montréal a soufflé vendredi sur la 35e bougie de la tuerie de masse qui a coûté la vie à 14 femmes, le 6 décembre 1989.

Il y a 35 ans, Polytechnique (Le Devoir)

Si nous voulons honorer la mémoire des victimes, cessons de classer la misogynie au rayon du fait divers.

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Image courtesy of "NOW Magazine"

Toronto honours victims of Polytechnique Montréal tragedy 35 years ... (NOW Magazine)

The young women killed were Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, ...

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Image courtesy of "Le Canada Français"

Une survivante de la Polytechnique en conférence au Cégep - Le ... (Le Canada Français)

Dans le cadre des 12 jours d'action contre les violences faites aux femmes, le Cégep Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu a reçu Nathalie Provost, survivante du ...

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Image courtesy of "Windsor Star"

UWindsor marks 35th anniversary of Montreal Polytechnique ... (Windsor Star)

The University of Windsor honoured 14 women killed at École Polytechnique in Montreal 35 years ago with a solemn ceremony on Friday.

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Image courtesy of "La Presse"

Attentat de Polytechnique | Des veillées pour commémorer les 35 ans (La Presse)

Bravant un vent hivernal mordant, des dignitaires se sont rassemblés vendredi devant le campus principal de Polytechnique Montréal pour rendre hommage aux ...

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Image courtesy of "McGill Reporter"

Honouring the women killed at École Polytechnique 'is not enough ... (McGill Reporter)

At McGill's memorial ceremony for the École Polytechnique shooting, survivor Dominique Bérubé, now VP (Research and Innovation), speaks publicly about that ...

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Image courtesy of "CTV Montreal"

35 years after Polytechnique massacre, advocates warn of evolving ... (CTV Montreal)

Walking through the Place du 6-Decembre-1989 monument, Marina Mathieu can't help but feel moved. Each silver mound stands in memory of the 14 women murdered ...

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Image courtesy of "CBC.ca"

Journalist who was on Polytechnique murderer's kill list describes ... (CBC.ca)

Two days after the École Polytechnique massacre, journalist Francine Pelletier learned she and 18 other women were on the gunman's hit list because it was ...

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Image courtesy of "Le Devoir"

35 ans plus tard, les victimes de la tuerie de Polytechnique ne sont ... (Le Devoir)

Une cérémonie a rendu hommage aux 14 femmes assassinées le 6 décembre 1989, vendredi soir.

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Image courtesy of "ICI.Radio-Canada.ca"

Des veillées pour les 35 ans de la tuerie de Polytechnique (ICI.Radio-Canada.ca)

Des dignitaires se sont rassemblés sur le campus de l'institution à Montréal pour rendre hommage aux 14 femmes tuées en 1989 lors d'une attaque ...

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Image courtesy of "CTV News"

A police photographer recounts the harrowing day of the ... (CTV News)

Montreal crime scene photographer Harold Rosenberg witnessed a lot of horror over his 30 years on the job, though nothing of the magnitude of what he ...

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Image courtesy of "CityNews Montreal"

Montrealers remember 14 women killed by gunman 35 years ago at ... (CityNews Montreal)

To remember the 14 women who were killed 35 years ago today in an anti-feminist mass shooting at École Polytechnique in Montreal, a ceremony in a park dedicated ...

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Image courtesy of "CTV Montreal"

'Duty to learn': Vigils mark 35th anniversary of Polytechnique anti ... (CTV Montreal)

Braving a biting winter wind, dignitaries gathered in front of Polytechnique Montréal's main campus on Friday to pay tribute to the 14 women killed at the ...

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Image courtesy of "La Presse"

Commémoration de l'attentat de Polytechnique | À la mémoire d'une ... (La Presse)

Vous allez être des ingénieures. Vous êtes une gang de féministes. J'haïs les féministes », a crié l'auteur de l'attentat du 6 décembre 1989 à l'École ...

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Image courtesy of "Montreal Gazette"

Polytechnique massacre: Montreal vigil marks 35th anniversary (Montreal Gazette)

PM Justin Trudeau helped wipe away the tears of Mayor Valérie Plante after they laid down white roses in honour of the victims.

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