A solemn ceremony in Montreal commemorated the 35th anniversary of the Polytechnique shooting, attended by the victims’ families and political leaders, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The event featured a moment of silence, the reading of the victims’ names, and a tribute with beams of light. Leaders emphasized the importance of remembering and taking action against violence towards women, while Polytechnique Montreal held a rose ceremony to honor the lost lives and promote inclusivity in engineering fields.
35th Anniversary Ceremony for Polytechnique Shooting
On Friday evening, a poignant ceremony was held in Montreal to mark the 35th anniversary of the Polytechnique shooting. This solemn event was attended by the families of the victims as well as various political figures.
Among those present at the Mont-Royal chalet were Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Premier François Legault, and Mayor Valérie Plante, all gathered to honor the memory of the 14 women tragically murdered on December 6, 1989. This heart-wrenching event, driven by deep-seated misogynistic beliefs, continues to stand as the deadliest school shooting in Canada’s history.
A Moment of Remembrance and Reflection
During the ceremony, a minute of silence was observed in memory of the former students of the University of Montreal who lost their lives. The names of each victim were read aloud, ensuring their legacies are not forgotten.
In a powerful tribute, fourteen beams of light illuminated Mont-Royal, while a fifteenth beam was dedicated to all women who have fallen victim to femicide. “We must not only remember but continue to act to protect women,” stated Justin Trudeau following the event.
François Legault echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to leverage December 6 each year as a catalyst for action against violence towards women. “If you see a woman suffering any form of violence, you must speak out,” he urged.
Louis Courville, who served as the former director of Polytechnique, recounted the horror of that day as if it were yesterday. “It was war, scenes of war,” he recalled. “I got home and collapsed.” Martine Biron, the minister responsible for women’s issues, referred to the shooting as one of the most significant tragedies in Quebec’s history.
Boufeldja Benabdallah, co-founder of the Islamic Cultural Center of Quebec, attended the ceremony to support the families of the victims. He reflected on the shared pain experienced after the 2017 Quebec Mosque tragedy, highlighting the devastating impact of violence and misunderstanding.
Polytechnique Montreal also embarked on a commemoration process on the same day to honor the memory of the victims. In the morning, students and representatives participated in a rose ceremony, further solidifying their remembrance.
Reflecting on the chaos of that day, Louis Courville described the scene as one of overwhelming terror, believing at first that they were under attack from multiple assailants. Current general director Maude Cohen stressed the importance of remembering this tragedy as a society. “We need to learn from this. We must strive to create inclusive environments where everyone can thrive,” she asserted, advocating for professions like engineering to be welcoming spaces for young women.