Carleton University Shares Video in Honour of Victims of École Polytechnique Tragedy
By Karen Kelly
Carleton University’s Faculty of Engineering and Design has released a video commemorating White Ribbon Day, the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. Filmed on campus, the video offers faculty, staff and students an opportunity to reflect on the 1989 massacre of 14 students at École Polytechnique de Montréal.
“On this date, we remember the 14 women whose lives were tragically cut short by an act of gender-based violence,” said Engineering Prof. Winnie Ye, who took part in the video. “It is our collective responsibility to be part of the solution and to ensure that all persons are provided with equal opportunities.”
Carleton has recognized this date with an event each year. This time, the presentation was virtual and began with remarks from Carleton Student Engineering Society executive, Anto Dency Amalraj.
“As a leader in the Carleton student engineering community, I am continually encouraged to advocate for diversity and inclusivity of different genders and sexual orientations,” said Amalraj.
“I ask that you remember moments like today where you can see and feel the gravity of gender-based violence.”
President Benoit-Antoine Bacon shared personal memories of growing up witnessing gender-based domestic violence, and of living in Montreal on the day the massacre occurred. He called on everyone in the Carleton community to take steps to prevent such violence.
“As a community at Carleton, we are committed to maintaining a positive learning, working and living environment where violence of any kind, very much including gender-based violence, is not tolerated and is treated with all the seriousness it deserves,” said Bacon.
Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to participate in a moment of silence across their social media accounts on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 11:14 a.m. The Faculty of Engineering and Design has also shared a social media pledge asking the Carleton community to continue to stand against gender-based violence.
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