Danielle Boudreau of St. Paul held a memorial march for missing and murdered women in Edmonton for the 11th year this Valentines Day.
Boudreau says the event was a success this year, with about 250 people in attendance. However there were a few hold ups. She was greeted by a police officer when she arrived at the Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, who was willing to offer two officers and two cruisers in support of the march. However, as the march was about to begin the officers received a call from higher-ups telling them to call it off, as the march had apparently not applied for the proper permit. This was news to Boudreau as it hasn’t been an issue in the past and she had filed for all the proper insurance with liability coverage.
However, the walkers eventually decided to carry on with the march anyway, with many stepping up to take whatever fine might come.
Boudreau says the officers were very helpful and supportive otherwise and that the officer she met would like to work with her in planning and organizing for next year. She adds that she’d like to see the cities of Edmonton and Calgary officially recognize Valentines’ Day as a day for honouring missing and murdered women. The march is held in 25 cities across Canada every year along with a few in the United States.
Boudreau does a great deal of public speaking on violence against women in the sex trade as well. Anyone who wishes to contact her van do so at 587-937-6769