Responding to Sunday evening’s fatal vehicle attack targeting five members of a Muslim family in London, Ontario, Ihsaan Gardee, Programs and Communications Director at Amnesty International Canada, said:
“Five family members were simply out for a walk and now four of them are dead – all, according to police reports, because they were targeted and attacked for their Islamic faith. Not only were four innocent lives taken, but a young 9-year-old must face life without his parents, grandparent, and sibling. It is horrific and deeply disturbing that such an egregious act of Islamophobia could still occur today. Hatred and discrimination, regardless of who it targets, must be condemned. We join the National Council of Canadian Muslims in calling for justice in what is reported to be a hate-motivated crime.
“Our hearts go out to the loved ones of this family, and the broader Muslim community, who are now grieving this tragic loss. No one should be made to feel unsafe in their community. We call on everyone in Canada, and beyond, to come together in solidarity, denounce Islamophobia and white supremacy in all its forms and for governments to work together and adequately resource a concrete and robust action plan to address Islamophobia and other forms of hate.”
Background
On Sunday, June 6, five family members were walking in London, Ontario, when they were struck by a pickup truck. Three adults and one teenager have died, and a child is in hospital with serious injuries. A 20-year-old man has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder. London police have said they believe the attack was intentional and that the family was targeted because of their faith.
A campaign has been launched to support the surviving boy and his family.
Amnesty International firmly opposes all forms of Islamophobia and condemns any and all acts of white supremacist racism and violence against Muslim communities.
