The Violence Intervention Program (VIP) and the Weyburn Labour Council will hold a candlelight vigil on Sunday, Dec. 7 in remembrance of women who have died by violence.

This year's vigil will be held at the T.C. Douglas Centre starting at 7 p.m. Various speakers from the community will recite inspirational thoughts and readings.

The vigil is being held in conjunction with Canada's National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence against women, which will be observed on Saturday, Dec. 6, the day Marc Lepine killed 14 women and wounded 13 others at the University of Montreal's School of Engineering building 14 years ago.

In addition to marking this anniversary, the vigil organizers said they hope to also acknowledge and mourn the women who have died as a result of violence, and who live daily with the threat of violence.

"The Montreal Massacre opened our eyes concerning violence against women, however it is still unsettling that the death toll of women being murdered continues to rise annually," said Patt Lenover-Adams, director of VIP.

This will be the fifth vigil held in Weyburn. Kate Dammann, counsellor for VIP, said she hopes anyone who believes violence should not be tolerated will attend the vigil. With the Labour Council supporting the vigil, she said the ceremony "will be a 'coming together' of community member who want to take a stance on elimination of violence in its many forms in our community."

For more information about the vigil or the Violence Intervention Program, contact the VIP office in Weyburn.