The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, also known as White Ribbon Day, is a day in Canada to commemorate the anniversary of the December 6^th, 1989, massacre at École Polytechnique. On that day, 14 women were killed and another 14 were injured as an armed student claimed he was “fighting feminism.”

This is a day to mourn and commit to fight the hatred and misogyny that led to this event, while recognizing that women, girls, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals around the world continue to face violence and discrimination. It is also a day to remember those who have experienced gender-based violence as well as those we have lost to it.

The victims of the 1989 massacre were Geneviève Bergeron, 21; Hélène Colgan, 23; Nathalie Croteau, 23; Barbara Daigneault, 22; Anne-Marie Edward, 21; Maud Haviernick, 29; Barbara Klucznik, 31; Maryse Laganière, 25; Maryse Leclair, 23; Anne-Marie Lemay, 22; Sonia Pelletier, 23; Michèle Richard, 21; Anne St-Arneault, 23; and Annie Turcotte, 21.

On December 6^th, there are a number of things you can do to honour the memory of those who died. Wear a white ribbon. Observe a moment of silence at 11:00 am. Attend a vigil in your community. Learn more about the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, which you can do here.