Moose Hide Campaign Draws Hundreds of Marchers to Denounce Violence Against Women in Victoria

Approximately 300 Victorians joined the Moose Hide Campaign and walked to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia to denounce violence against women and children. Several diverse organised groups swelled the crowd, some being only students, led by the local indigenous community. But they were only a small portion of participants throughout the country, with over 400’000 attending via the live stream online.

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Also noteworthy is that many of the participants were men. It wasn’t a gathering of women bitching about how men treat them, but a critical mass of men taking a stand alongside women about human rights, about things that shouldn’t have to be said, especially in a country like Canada—which nevertheless closed its residential school system only a few decades ago. It shouldn’t have to be said that violence against women and children is despicable, and that racism against indigenous communities only makes it worse. Well, given that these abuses remain commonplace, they nevertheless have to be said, and the marchers made the statement with their feet.

The march started near the Royal BC Museum, at the corner of Douglas and Belleville, and went all the way to the lawn of the Parliament, under the gaze of media organisations and law enforcement officers. A round of speakers took the stand, each making an emotional call against violence toward people of their communities who can’t fight back. Finally, the participants performed a circle dance to close the event.