Community members gathered at Frédéric-Back Park on Saturday to honour two women killed in separate cases of intimate-partner violence in Montreal’s Saint-Michel neighbourhood, while calling for stronger action to protect women from violence.
The march and vigil, organized by Maison d’Haïti, came days after the deaths of Leakkhena Seng and Kerline Jean.
The two women were killed less than 48 hours apart in separate incidents in Saint-Michel. Police have identified both cases as involving intimate-partner violence.
“I think we have to create something that will help women to be safe,” said Éric Ouellet, a participant at Saturday’s event.
“I don’t understand why this happened right now. I mean it’s growing and growing every year, every month,” said Ouellet.
The march began at Parvis Papineau and continued for 1.5 kilometres through Frédéric-Back Park.
Participants carried roses and handmade signs and observed a moment of silence before placing 100 roses beneath a tree. Organizers said 16 white roses represented the 16 women killed in Quebec in 2026.
Marie Christiana Joseph, project manager at Réseau d’action pour l’égalité des femmes immigrées et racisées du Québec (RAFIQ), said the recent deaths were a reminder of the broader impact of intimate-partner violence.
“These femicides are a reminder that intimate-partner violence is a serious societal issue, and one that can have lasting consequences,” said Marie Christiana Joseph, project manager at Rafiq.
Survivors and community members also shared messages of support and hope, including Mary Touch, a survivor of intimate-partner violence and member of the Cambodian community in Montreal.
“You can live freely and with hope with the desire that you want to live in this country. This country is the free country and please do not be afraid to open up with your loved one, with your friends, with your community,” said Touch.
Touch also urged people experiencing violence to seek support.
“So be open up, find help, call for help, okay?” she said.
Chan Dara Uch, president of the Cambodian Community in Montreal, directed a message to men who may feel they are losing control.
“And when you feel like you’re losing control over your life, over yourself and over your mission, you’d rather get help,” Uch said.
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Saturday’s vigil also comes amid another recent incident of domestic violence in Montreal, in which a woman survived after police said a man stabbed an officer before being injured by police.
Organizers and speakers at the event urged people to seek help before violence escalates and called for stronger community and institutional measures to prevent intimate-partner violence.
The deaths of Seng and Jean have renewed calls for action against intimate-partner violence in Quebec. Seng, 44, was killed Aug. 15 in a Saint-Michel apartment, while Jean, 41, was killed two days later.
For those gathered Saturday, the march was both a memorial and a call for change.
“Please know that there is always a solution. It doesn’t have to be this way,” said Touch.
