16 West, the Highway of Tears

Saturday, September 17, 2005 04:02 AM

There are many who call Highway 16 West the Highway of Tears, and for good reason.

Since 1988, there have been 32 people on this highway who have been murdered, or, have mysteriously disappeared. Among the missing, the Jack family, and Nicole Hoar.

Their names are the most commonly associated with the disappearances and unsolved deaths along Highway 16 West, but the truth is, most of the victims are women, and most are of aboriginal descent.

Today, a special march will take place along a stretch of the highway in Prince George, and along stretches of 16 West as it winds its way through Smithers, Terrace and Prince Rupert. It is the full length of this highway that has been a connecting thread of asphalt in the disappearances and unsolved murders.

The simultaneous marches start at 2 p.m. In Prince George, the starting point is the rink at Southridge, at the intersection of O'Grady and Southridge.    It will make its way along highway 16 and wind up at the Parkridge Heights Mr. G's where there will be a reception.

Normally, for Prince George organizers, this would be a "Take Back The Night" march, an annual event aimed at raising awareness of violence against women and children. It is also a time to focus on ways our society can prevent the violence.

Although the message remains the same, the focus on this, the 13th annual march, is on "Take Back the Highway".

The linking of communities along the stretch of pavement, is an effort to send a strong message that the violence must stop, not only along this roadway, but along all of our paths in life.

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Posted on Saturday, September 17, 2005 04:02 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: gypsy on September 17 2005 9:47 AM

Whoopee ding!!!!
A lot of good this march will accomplish.
Who organizes this garbage?
Take back the highway???
Great slogan-and I am sure they will be very successful in taking back the highway.
Take back the night??
We already know about violence against women and children.
Guess it only happens at night???
Will these marchers stop any of that??
Sheer foolishness!!!
What will they come up with next???
They take back zippo-
Well, enjoy your stroll-nice day for it anyhow, but don't think you are really doing anything advantageous.
Dream on!!!!

Posted by: tami on September 17 2005 6:09 PM

Perhaps, gypsy, you could offer up alternative suggestions for the people that want to do something to remember those who have been murdered or gone missing on this highway. I'm sure that those people who've lost loved ones along Highway 16 West would rather hear positive suggestions than the scorn you've shown. At least the marchers are showing their support, and it's important to know that someone out there cares.

Posted by: gypsy on September 17 2005 7:23 PM

There is no alternative suggestion.
At least I do not have one.
It just seems they like to open wounds, and the names they allot to the marches just do not make sense.
Take back the highway.
Take back the night.
Candle vigils for remembrance seem much more fitting, but the Take back the night has got to go!!!!
How in heck do people come up with these ideas??
And how can a person prevent violence in a home?
And please do not tell me it is limited to the street.
I am a non violent person.
You are spoiling for a fight.
I wonder if even dogs sense that.

Posted by: tami on September 17 2005 8:29 PM

I have to say thanks, Gypsy, that is honestly the best laugh I've had all day, really! Too bad you couldn't come up with any positive alternatives, though. I guess it's easier to just scoff at the ideas of others...oops, there I go, spoiling for a fight again!

Posted by: gypsy on September 17 2005 9:51 PM

Now it has become humorous???
Weird!!!
Best I do not go there!!!

Posted by: spanky on September 17 2005 10:36 PM

atta boy gypsy. you blew this one. sometimes you make some sense, but here you just sound like a good ol pg hick. criticizing 32 dead or missing people. way to go bud you suck.

later..........

Posted by: gypsy on September 18 2005 7:15 AM

And in what line did I critisize the dead???
I never mentioned the dead.
Maybe some are NOT dead-but people are assuming.
I simply think the words pertaining to the marches do not make sense.
Tell me how you "Take back a highway?"
How do you, "Take back the night?"
A candlelight vigil makes more sense than hordes of people and their dogs walking along streets or highways.
Do NOT read into what I have written that which is not there!!
Your imaginations work overtime, with little brain stimulation and you once again "make no sense."
Better "YOU" do not go there.

Posted by: owl on September 18 2005 11:18 AM

I think in many ways gypsy is right on the money. These events really do not do much to get the missing back or to make the highway any safer. I think it may be a matter of remembering and reminding. For that, we typically erect monuments, some are short lived, as those which are becoming more and more common along our highways for the people who died in car accidents, others are more permanent monuments.

Perhaps one could look at setting up a memorial monument along the highway which will remind people every time they pass it of the other dangers of the road.

If, on the other hand, someone wants some action to be taken, then a “vigil” type exercise rarely results in action. Other methods will have to be found depending on exactly what it is one wishes to be done.

Posted by: tami on September 18 2005 12:15 PM

If the only action that a "Take Back the Highway" exercise results in is to draw awareness to the missing and murdered along Highway 16 West, then I think the exercise is a success. If it weren't for people doing marches like this every year, how many of us would know that THIRTY-TWO people have gone missing since 1988? That is an amazing statistic, and I think that having a yearly event to remind people to be safe is a great idea. Does anyone recall a recent article about a girl riding horseback on Highway 16 recently? She was accosted by a truck driver, and was smart enough, and lucky enough to get away from the guy. The more media attention on this matter, the better, as far as I'm concerned, no matter what the march or vigil is named.

Posted by: gypsy on September 18 2005 12:37 PM

Thanks owl!!!
Sometimes people are too thick to understand my postings.
Maybe they do not want to.
Yes, a monument erected would be a daily reminder for those driving that highway and be far more effective.
Now-why didn't I think of that????

Posted by: spanky on September 18 2005 1:13 PM

you were just being critical to sound impressive. the problem is that anyone can criticize but it takes leaders to come up with good solutions which you gypsy obviously are not.

later.........

Posted by: gypsy on September 18 2005 2:49 PM

And not even trying to be!!!!
I have made my mark!!!
I may leave footprints in the sands of time=
But does it really matter???
If anyone is critical-it is you Spanky.
To the point you are ridiculous!!
And amazingly unintelligent!!!
Now, wasn't that well put?????

Posted by: spanky on September 18 2005 3:13 PM

made your mark? says who ? you i suppose. hahahahaha!

later.......