Tri-City residents will get a chance to take back the night this year.
Tri-City Transitions Society will be holding a candle lit walk to remember victims of gender violence, including the 14 women slain at École Polytechnique de Montréal in December 1989.
The walk, the first one of its kind to be held in the Tri-Cities, is part of the third annual Purple Ribbon campaign, which is a part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, an international effort to eradicate all forms of violence against women.
The campaign to raise awareness about domestic and gender-based violence will kick off on Friday, Nov. 25 with a breakfast at the Elk's Hall (2272 Leigh Sq., Port Coquitlam) where a continental brekkie will be served to the public for a donation.
The take back the night walk will be held the following evening on Nov. 26, starting from Leigh Square at 6:30 p.m. Participants will walk with candles along Shaughnessy Street, to Central Avenue, and return to the square along Mary Hill Road.
Tri-City Transitions is currently distributing purple ribbons to business, government agencies and offices throughout the Tri-Cities. There are two sizes of ribbons available: small ones to wear and larger ones for hanging on doors. To obtain one, call 604-941-6311 and speak to Angie. The ribbons are free but donations are appreciated.
"We're getting a great response for ribbons from local businesses and organizations." said Carol Metz Murray of the Tri-City Transitions Society. "We're very excited about that."
Metz Murray said she hopes people will participate in the campaign by wearing a ribbon and remembering the women who have died as a result of domestic violence.
"The one that comes to mind in the woman who recently lost her life and was found in a suitcase in Steveston," she said, speaking of Coquitlam resident Lancy Hu, whose body was found on Aug. 27 in a suitcase floating in the waters off Richmond. "It's a reminder that it's all very close to home."
jgauthier@tricitynews.com
