News: Montreal Massacre
From 1 - 4 December, MGCI commemorated the female victims of the event now famously known as the Montreal Massacre. MGCI’s Social Justice & Equity Committee (SJEC) held the White Ribbon campaign, and invited the student body to sign a pledge in the galleria to fight violence against women. They also held a march in the cafeteria on 4 December, where the photos of the fourteen female victims of the Montreal Massacre were displayed.
The Montreal Massacre occurred on 6 December, 1989, at the École Polytechnique in Montreal. It resulted in the death of fourteen women, and left thirteen others injured. The gunman, Marc Lépine, entered a classroom, forced all the men to leave, and shot the women in the class, killing six before shooting others throughout the university. During his murderous rampage and in his suicide note, he cited his reason as “fighting feminism,” expressing his hatred for women, and feminists.
Aahan Rashid, a member of SJEC, said, “The Montreal Massacre acted almost like a revelation. In the 1980s to early 1990s, gender-based crimes were at their peak. However, it wasn’t until fourteen women were killed at once that gender-based violence was in the mind of the public. Remembering these women should make each person reflect and keep watch on their own actions and mindsets. ”
This commemoration also holds significance to many students at MGCI. Arora Chen, the vice-president of the Student Activity Council and co-president of the school club MGCI Girl Effect, said, “It is difficult to believe that although we are looking at race equality, we are still not overcoming gender equality.”
The school also held a white ribbon campaign, selling them to students. By buying a ribbon, students are supporting the world’s largest movement of men, and boys, working to eradicate violence against women and girls, promote gender equality, healthy relationships and a new vision of masculinity.
Although modern society has come far from the 1989 massacre, it is still far from fully accepting both genders as being equal. Aahan said, “To solve any major issue means considering the long-term or underlying causes. We have to make sure people aren’t mistreated or isolated by peers. To directly alleviate the issue it is important to allow opportunities for therapy, and of course, expand the currently existing shelters.”
The proceeds from SJEC’s sales of white ribbons will go towards the December 6 Fund for survivors of domestic abuse. “Students and teachers at MGCI signed a pledge to stop violence against women. Many bought white ribbons to support this cause, and made generous donations, which will go towards the White Ribbon campaign and the December 6 Fund,” said Hamza Shahid, co-president of SJEC.
