10 Years of Remembering: Victims of Montreal Massacre Commemorated Through Art and Song During York U. Women's Remembrance Day

TORONTO, December 2 1999 -- York University will commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 14 women killed at Šcole Polytechnique in Montreal in York U.'s Vari Hall (Rotunda) Fri., Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. while raising awareness of violence against women through art and song.

The event, sponsored by York University's December 6th Organizing Committee, will feature speeches by campus women's organizations and performances by female blues singer Faith Nolan and First Nations musician Gloria Eshkibok. Works of art and banners will be displayed in the Rotunda depicting personal experiences of women who have encountered violence in their lives. Members of the York community will light candles and lay 100 red roses in honour of the slain female students while York's Assistant Vice-President (Student Affairs) Cora Dusk sings Amazing Grace, followed by two minutes of silence.

Classes are cancelled during the ceremonies to allow students, faculty and staff to attend. The flag in the Common will be flown at half-mast to honour the 14 women who were killed and other female victims of violence.

The following is a list of York University experts available to offer their perspectives on violence against women:

Vijay Agnew is a social science professor at York University's School of Women's Studies. She is available to discuss violence against immigrant women and the non-governmental organizations designed to help them. She can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 77176 or at home: (416) 924-7847.

Mary Jane Mossman is a law professor at York University's Osgoode Hall Law School where she teaches family Law. Mossman can speak about access to justice for female victims of violence, and can be reached at (416) 736-5547.

Andrea O'Reilly is a professor of women's studies and director of the Association for Research on Mothering (ARM) at York University. She has written extensively on author Toni Morrison's work, including themes of violence against women. O'Reilly can be reached at (416) 736-2100, ext. 60366 or at home: (905) 775-3684.

Heather Dryden, an advisor for the York University Centre for Race and Ethnic and Relations, counsels students and other women members of the York community, especially those of colour, with respect to discrimination, sexism, homophobia and violence. She can be reached at (416) 736-5682.

Dale Hall, an advisor for the York University Sexual Harassment Education & Complaint Centre, counsels students, female faculty and staff at York on sexual harassment, date rape, and violence. She can be reached at (416) 736-5500.

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For more information or additional experts, please contact:

Heather Dryden
Advisor, Centre for Race and Ethnic Relations
York University
(416) 736-5682
hdryden@yorku.ca

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
kturriff@yorku.ca
YU/136/99