MIKE ATHEY
FORT COULONGE Nov. 25, 2020
A local women’s shelter in Fort Coulonge is holding its annual campaign against violence towards women though the pandemic is forcing changes to events and even some cancellations.
Starting on Nov. 25, L’Entourelle shelter will run its 12 Days of Action Against Violence Towards Women campaign.
Ordinarily, L’Entourelle would team up with . . .
the Knights of Columbus, firefighters and police to host a walk around the village in solidarity with the cause. They would hand out informational pamphlets and white ribbons, a symbol representing the end of violence against women, to the public.
The walk will not be organized this year due to COVID-19 but are inviting the public to join in a virtual walk instead.
“That would mean getting out, wearing your white ribbon, walking with the people from their household or on their own, while maintaining social distancing,” said community worker, Vanessa Chabot. “Then we’ll ask them to send us pictures or videos of support of them walking.”
The campaign will run until Dec. 6, the anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique Massacre, where 14 women, mostly engineering students, were killed by a lone male shooter. A vigil is normally held on that day, but it will be cancelled this year because of the pandemic.
Chabot said they would be updating their website daily and provide both information and testimonials of support from women who have survived violence.
She wanted to remind women that if they want to share their stories they could do so by emailing L’Entourelle or contacting them by phone. Chabot said the testimonials could be posted on their Facebook page to support the campaign but stressed that submissions would be held in full confidentiality.
