Memorial on steps of Vancouver Art Gallery symbolizes number of women killed in B.C.

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      Hundreds of pairs of shoes lined the steps of the Vancouver Art Gallery Friday (December 6) to represent the number of women killed as a result of violence in B.C.

      The shoes were part of an annual memorial on the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against Women, which marks the anniversary of the murder of 14 women in Montreal.

      This is the 11th year the local memorial has taken place, according to organizer Pat Kelln.

      “It’ s a way to not forget that women are still dying,” she said in an interview with the Straight. “We know of 898 women killed in this province over the last 20 years, and that’s only those that we know of.

      “The shoes are because what does 100 mean, what does 300 mean? You don’t know. So the idea is to try to give a visual representation and try to be more impactful on the numbers.”

      Kelln noted the shoes are donated to women in need following the memorial.

      The organizer added that during the last four years, the event has prompted more people to ask what they can do to address violence.

      “This is a societal problem, and it is only going to end when society says enough is enough, and that means each and every one of us individually need to do our part and say no,” she said. “It does not mean that you need to be a hero, you just need to no longer turn a blind eye to what’s happening around you.”

      Other events held in Vancouver in recognition of the national day of action included a vigil at the women’s monument in Thornton Park, and a ceremony at the Granville and Georgia intersection.

      Comments

      19 Comments

      Someguy

      Dec 6, 2013 at 6:25pm

      Why not also count male deaths? I say sexism and misandry...

      Violence against women is definitely disgusting, and yet we never talk about masculine victims. In some provinces the victims of spousal violence are more likely to be male than female (2009, BC, MB).. 2 provinces dont even consider violence against men (NL, PE), As well men are more likely to not report spousal violence :

      http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-224-x/85-224-x2010000-eng.pdf

      Amy Starkey

      Dec 6, 2013 at 7:10pm

      Someguy - I'm sure your stats are just as upsetting and disturbing as the stats of male violence against women. By all means, go ahead and organize a day of action to recognize it. No one is stopping you, and I bet no women would complain if you did so (if it was done in a respectful manner with the intention of honouring the lives of male victims of violence). However, this day has been named in honour of female victims of violence because it is the anniversary of the 14 women who were killed at a Montreal school by a man who targetted them specifically because they were women who were taking up spots in the Engineering program that he felt should be for men only. So today we honour all women victims of violence, in memory of the 14 who were killed just for being women. Today is their day. Go create your own if you want, but let these women Rest in Peace, please. Blessings to you and the men who have been killed by violence.

      Gregg

      Dec 6, 2013 at 7:25pm

      Why is the real reason 14 women were murdered in Montreal never mentioned - islam. Marl lapine's real name is Gamil Garbi.

      Amy Starkey

      Dec 7, 2013 at 9:59am

      @Gregg - Because the women are still dead regardless of what religion the man is. I doubt it would be mentioned if he was Catholic, Jewish, Sikh, Zulu or Ancient Mayan either.

      evstarr

      Dec 7, 2013 at 5:41pm

      it is my opinion, after working in this field for more than 20 years that the stats showing more female assaults is because men are now more aware of the fact (at least in bc) that the person that calls the RCMP first is thought of as the victim. Women have often left a mark on the male while trying to protect themselves thus leading to them being now charged with assault.

      SC

      Dec 7, 2013 at 7:36pm

      Marc Lepine was born to a French-Canadian mother and a largely absent Arab/North African father. He identified himself as Marc Lepine, spoke French and never took any outward interest in his father's faith. so, Gregg's comment is ridiculous and just deflects from the discussion.

      Mavaddat Javid

      Dec 7, 2013 at 7:46pm

      Gregg, why not blame appellation alliteration instead of Islam? Has anyone researched whether people with the same sounds or of the same kinds of sounds at the beginning of their first and last name are more prone to violence? This is a compelling hypothesis Gregg would suggest we look into.

      Oh, also from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_L%C3%A9pine#Childhood:

      Lépine was born Gamil Rodrigue Liass Gharbi on October 26, 1964 in Montreal, the son of Algerian immigrant Rachid Liass Gharbi and Canadian nurse Monique Lépine. A mutual funds salesman, his father was travelling in the Caribbean at the time of his son's birth. During his absence, Monique Lépine discovered evidence that her husband had been having an affair. Gharbi was a non-practicing Muslim, and Monique Lépine, a former Catholic nun who had rejected organized religion after she left the convent. Their son was baptized a Roman Catholic as an infant, but received no religious instruction during his childhood; his mother described her son as "a confirmed atheist all his life".

      Ben Thompson

      Dec 8, 2013 at 3:18am

      I have read this with interest as a female friend from Canada posted it. What I find amazing is the fact that the message about 14 innocent women being killed is kind of being lost discussing what religion the killer was! It doesnt matter what religion what race what colour the guy was. What matters is the 14 innocent people lost their lifes because of someone elses beliefs. There is too much violence in the world carried out in the name of someone elses beliefs. Please just take a moment to reflect not just on the people who lost their lives but the other people it has also affected, families, lovedones, friends , children

      jeanine

      Dec 8, 2013 at 8:39am

      <3