Rallying women pause to remember homicide victim Holly Hamilton
A moment of silence was held for homicide victim Holly Hamilton at the Women’s March Forward rally, with organizers vowing to give the local event’s proceeds to the 29year-old mother’s family.
“It is a tragedy and a preventable one,” Sophie Geffros of the YWCA Young Women’s Advisory Council told the crowd of about 200 in front of City Hall Saturday at 1 p.m.
Hamilton was stabbed to death and her body found in her car Wednesday in an east Hamilton parking garage.
Her 30-year-old ex-boyfriend, Justin Dumpfrey — the father of her four-year-old daughter — has been charged with second-degree murder.
“It is time for us to speak out,” said Geffros.
The Hamilton rally was one of more than 200 events planned around the world on the anniversary of the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
“It’s timely and important with the rise of hateful language and behaviour,” Shahzi Bokhari, from the Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, told the crowd.
Uzma Qureshi talked of the need to build on the 2017 Women’s March, which saw millions of people around the globe protest one year ago.
“Last year the women’s march gave me a renewed optimism,” she said. “I felt a shift. We cannot let that feeling go. We have to remember there is still work to do.”
The rally ended a morning-long summit at City Hall designed to train women on how to take action. Tickets were pay-what-you-can, with the proceeds going to Hamilton’s family.
“Last year we encouraged women to get loud,” said Daniela Giulletti, YWCA advocacy and engagement co-ordinator. “Now we need to get organized.”
She said the provincial and municipal elections taking place in 2018 are a good place to start.
“I feel like there has been a lot of talk, I want to act,” said 26-year-old Sara Nixon about why she attended the summit.
Gillian Doucet Campbell brought her daughters, aged 10 and seven, to the rally.
“It’s important from an early age for children to get involved,” she said. “They’re the future. They can help make change.”
The summit put a particular emphasis on making sure women of all backgrounds feel included and are given a voice.
“In the feminism movement, a lot of marginalized voices were silenced,” said Ruby Hye, a 16-yearold Westdale Secondary School student. “They weren’t heard.”
Autumn Getty talked about how she appreciated feeling welcome at the event.
“Trans women weren’t always sure we’re included,” she said. “If we work together and stand together, things will be better for all of us.”
Speaking out about violence against women was a main focus of the worldwide rallies this year as well as expressing support for the #MeToo movement
“The fight is just as important as ever,” said speaker Michelle Markowski, women’s advocate at the YWCA. “We refuse to leave any woman behind.”