Enough is enough. A Note on the London Attack From Our Director

Image from The Globe and Mail

A Message from the Executive Director:

Will hateful, heinous acts ever end?

I am mortified to learn of the deaths in London Ontario of a Muslim family. Tragically, this family of five was waiting at an intersection when a driver intentionally mounted the curb and struck them. The police say “there is evidence that this was a planned, premeditated act, motivated by hate. It is believed that these victims were targeted” because of their Islamic faith.

A 74-year-old woman was pronounced dead at the scene Sunday night and the other four family members -- a 46-year-old man, a 44-year-old woman, a 15-year-old girl, and a nine-year-old boy -- were transported to the hospital. The parents and teen have reportedly died while the young boy is in serious but non-life-threatening condition.

I will not speak the name of the driver as he may have been seeking notoriety. He is 20 years old and has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.

This hateful violence hits close to home. It invokes memories of the Yonge Street van attack.

Newcomer Women’s Services, Toronto condemns racism, sexism, and violence in all forms.

Enough is enough.

In solidarity,

Judy Fantham, Executive Director