The December 6 Committee invites you to a commemorative event in recognition of the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women.

We’ll gather on Friday, December 6, 2024 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. at Togo Salmon Hall – Room 118. This year’s theme is: Remember, Reflect, Resist.

The commemorative event will be followed by a memorial walk around campus. You are welcome to register for either event or both.

Register here.

Commemorative event

Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Time: 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Togo Salmon Hall – Room 118
Program details: Music by pianist and McMaster Engineering student Aidan Lao, a panel discussion, video tribute. Refreshments to follow.

ASL interpretation and a downloadable captioning tool will be available.

A virtual live stream option via YouTube is available. Please register with the form to receive the link closer to the event.

Memorial walk

Date: Friday, December 6, 2024
Time: 1:15 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Location: Outside of Togo Salmon Hall – Room 118, following the commemorative event

Following the commemorative event, we will hold a memorial walk to honour the victims of violence against women. The walk will begin at Togo Salmon Hall and proceed to various spots on campus, totaling approximately 45 minutes. During the walk, we’ll pass by red dresses hung to symbolize Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people. If you are participating in the walk, please dress for the weather.

The significance of December 6

On December 6, 1989, 14 young women at École Polytechnique in Montreal were murdered in a violent act of misogyny. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the attack, and together, we will reflect and commit to taking a stand against gender-based violence. The presence of McMaster community members is vital as we honour victims and survivors, past and present.

About the REDress project

Red dresses hung around campus are part of the REDress Project, an installation begun by Jaime Black, a Winnipeg-based artist, in 2010. Originally placed in downtown Winnipeg, red dresses have since been displayed in installations across the country as a way of drawing attention to the ongoing crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQI+ people.