“All my relations… we create our own justice.”
Cheers exploded from the crowd. A crowd of Aboriginal people: Canadians, Americans, families, and children. A powerful group of feminists advocating for the 26th annual Women’s Memorial March in the heart of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. I was extremely proud to be among them.
The annual Women’s Memorial March is held on Valentine’s Day to honour the memory of all the women from the Downtown Eastside who have died from “physical, mental, emotional and spiritual violence.” Now in its 26th year, the March brings awareness to the continued violence vulnerable women in the Downtown Eastside face on a daily basis.
According to the Women’s Memorial March Committee, “Increasing deaths of many vulnerable women from the Downtown Eastside still leaves family, friends, loved ones, and community members with an overwhelming sense of grief and loss. Indigenous women disproportionately continue to go missing or be murdered with minimal action to address these tragedies or the systemic nature of gendered violence, poverty, racism, or colonialism.”
This being my first time at the March, I was overwhelmed by how quickly the hundreds of us merged into one large community. Within minutes of arriving at the intersection of Main and Hastings, I was handed a paper heart with a woman’s name on it. She represented one of the many women we would be honouring today. I was surrounded by similar pink hearts, as well as handmade patch quilts and banners, all commemorating the missing and murdered women.
Before the march began, several family members of the missing and murdered Aboriginal women made speeches at the foot of Carnegie Hall. Their voices rippled through the crowd, further connecting us through shared stories.
“As a result, we have successfully arrested seventeen men responsible for the abuse and deaths of so many women. I hope to see many of you elected to government so that you can make the decisions… because we deserve respect.
“Do not be silent, because we can win together. You are not alone.”
“My aunt found my cousin drowned, beaten and bruised to death. The court ruled it a natural death.” The speaker paused, breathing heavily. “I am tired of this war against women. Let’s stop the war instead of just talking about it.”
More cheers from the crowd. We are a united voice, a collective creating our own justice. And we welcome you to join us.