The Municipality of Casselman recently unveiled new rose bushes at the Casselman Memorial Monument, the site of the annual vigil ceremonies initiated by the Prescott-Russell Coalition to End Violence Against Women.
Through this initiative, the Municipality is helping maintain a space for reflection and awareness dedicated to the memory of women who have been victims of violence, demonstrating its ongoing support for the Coalition’s efforts and for the preservation of this meaningful place of remembrance within the community.
The new rose bushes, symbols of remembrance, hope, and resilience, serve as a reminder of the importance of never forgetting the women affected by this reality and of continuing collective efforts to prevent violence against women. As they grow and bloom through the seasons, these roses will stand as living symbols of solidarity with survivors, their loved ones, and all those impacted by gender-based violence. They also reflect the community’s commitment to fostering an environment where equality and safety prevail.
“A heartfelt thank you to the Municipality of Casselman for this symbolic gesture of support. These rose bushes are much more than flowers. They remind us that behind every statistic are lives, families, and communities deeply affected by violence. They also represent our collective determination to continue raising awareness, educating, and taking action to prevent violence against women,” said Marie Lemay, Coalition member and Executive Director of Prescott-Russell Victim Services.
A Place of Remembrance at the Heart of the Community
The Casselman Memorial Monument is one of three memorial sites in Prescott-Russell that serve as gathering places for the annual vigil ceremonies organized by the Coalition as part of the Day of Non-Violence in Prescott-Russell and the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, observed on December 6.
Held in Casselman, Hawkesbury, and Rockland, these ceremonies play an important role in the Coalition’s awareness-building efforts by providing an opportunity for community members to honour the memory of women victims of violence, show support for survivors and their loved ones, and reaffirm their commitment to eliminating all forms of violence against women.
