Polytechnique massacre 26th anniversary memorialized in Montreal

Ceremonies took place today to commemorate the 26th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre in Montreal.

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On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 women were killed at the engineering school by a gunman professing to hate feminists and women's place in society. Another 14 people were injured before the gunman took his own life.

Two rallies in Montreal honoured the memory of the 14 women killed.

The first rally began at 11:45 a.m. ET at Place-du-6-décembre, a memorial park close to École Polytechnique.

People gathered to remember the victims and highlight ongoing issues of gender inequality and violence against women.  

A second gathering started at 5 p.m. on Montreal's Mount Royal. Fourteen beams of light were projected onto the night sky over the city, representing each of the victims. Attendants observed a minute of silence and the names of the victims were read.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended, and had only a few words to say to the cameras.

"It's a moment to remember and to make promises, and that's what I'm doing," Trudeau said in French.

"What promises, Mr. Trudeau?" inquired a young girl.

"The promise to never forget and to do everything possible to ensure that never again."

Montreal's Olympic Stadium is one of many monuments countrywide that were being illuminated in red to honour the victims.