Friends and family of the late Ele Anthonysz will hold a rally at the Chilliwack Law Courts on Friday afternoon.
The rally takes place from 2 to 5 p.m. and will both honour Anthonysz and raise awareness to fight violence against women. Onthat day, Walter Joseph Ramsay, 42, the man accused of killing Anthonysz, is scheduled to plead guilty in the case.
Anthonysz, 33, died April 17 after her Mission home, located in the Green Acres Mobile Home Park on Shook Road by Hatzic Lake, was set on fire.
Mission RCMP were called to the scene just after 3 a.m. Fire crews extinguished the flames and were able to enter the trailer,where they found Anthonysz’ body.
An 11-year-old girl and eight year-old boy escaped the blaze. Witnesses reported that the two children ran from the trailer withtheir hands bound together with zip ties.
Ramsay, Anthonysz’ former boyfriend, was arrested April 18 and was charged with one count of first-degree murder, two countsof attempted murder and one count of arson, stemming from the tragic incident.
Since the tragic incident, the community has come together with donations to help Anthonysz’s children transition to living withtheir grandmother, Carole Watson.
According to WE CAN (a campaign to end violence against women), each week in Canada, one to two women are murdered byeither a current or former partner.
In a press release issued by rally organizers, it states that, according to the World Health Organization (2014), an average of 30per cent of women have experienced violence in their intimate relationships with men. In some countries, the number is as highas 71 per cent.
“To end violence against women we must continue to fight for social, economic, and political change. Raising awareness is afundamental step toward that change,” the release states.
The rally for Anthonysz and her family seeks to raise awareness. All are welcome.
Donations to Anthonysz’s family can be made at gofundme.com/sdsjf4.