On December 6, 1989, 25 year-old Marc Lépine entered École Polytechnique armed with a hunting knife and a .22 calibre rifle. He went from class to class in the engineering school, separating men from women and open firing on what he called “une gange de féministes”. His rampage stretched three floors and several classrooms. He murdered 14 women and injured ten others just because they were women before turning the gun on himself.
Legacy
A year later Parliament established the anniversary as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. That same year, a collective of men started the White Ribbon Campaign, to show their support in ending violence against women. They still work with men and boys to educate and stop violence.
Take Action
The gun registry was created in reaction to the shooting at Polytechnique, but is now being threatened by Harper’s government. Take action on December 6 and show support for the registry.
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