Ceremonies held on Sunday, Dec. 6 marked the 26th anniversary of the 1989 massacre at école Polytechnique in Montreal during which 14 female engineering students were shot and killed by a gunman who claimed that feminists had "ruined his life," before taking his own life.
In commemoration of the 14 victims whose lives were lost in the massacre, two memorials were held in Montreal. The first was held in the afternoon at "The Place du 6-Décembre-1989," a memorial park near école Polytechnique that was created in honor of the women who lost their lives. Speeches focused on remembering the women, as well as discussing ongoing issues regarding violence against women and gender inequality, according to CTV Montreal.
The second memorial was held in the evening at Mount Royal, a large hill that overlooks the city of Montreal. In a ceremony that was similar to the event held last year, 14 beams of light were projected into the sky over the city, each one in memory of one of the women. The names of the victims were read out as attendees listened and reflected.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was present at the Mount Royal ceremony, and while he did not make an official speech, he did say a few words to the media. "It's a moment to remember and to make promises... the promise to never forget and to do everything possible to ensure that never again," Trudeau said, according to the CBC.
Trudeau also released an official statement on Sunday, reiterating promises he made during the election to provide support to female victims of violence and sexual assault, according to the Canadian Press. The statement also promised a continued commitment to launch an inquiry into missing and murdered aboriginal women, who are a particularly vulnerable population in Canada.
"We all have an important role to play in stopping violence against women and girls, and in denouncing misogyny in all its forms," the statement read, according to the Canadian Press. "Like all parents, I want my daughter to grow up in a safe community and a safe world."
