(Credit: Eric Fry) Crowd at the our London Family Vigil.
On June 6th, 2021, an act of terrorism was committed in London.
The Afzaal family were on a walk when self-proclaimed white nationalist Nathan Veltman drove his truck into the family, killing Talat Afzaal, 74, her son Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, and their daughter Yumnah, 15, and leaving one severely injured and orphaned.
Veltman was found guilty in a trial of not only murder but terrorism.
Three years later, the damage caused by that attack continues to ripple throughout the community.
A vigil took place on the anniversary of the attack. The vigil included speeches, a video, a poem, a moment of silence, and a call to prayer.
“When we come together as Canadians as Londoners to remember the terrorist attack that happened three years ago here at this very intersection. It is to remind ourselves of our Collective Strength, our Collective unity, and standing up for human rights against Islamophobia, against any form of hate,” says Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s special representative on combatting Islamophobia.
“The steps are to see that incremental slow change. We know it’s slow, but we want to keep pushing like we saw. For instance, at the Thames Valley District School Board where they just launched this morning a dismantling anti-Muslim racism strategy. Those are the types of positive steps legacies of what happened here that demonstrate that there is a real commitment to ensuring that Muslims in Canada and any other minority community feel safe because that’s what Canada stands for.”
(Credit: Eric Fry) Picture of the intersection where the terrorist attack happened.
London Police have reported a 40 per cent rise in hate crimes since last year, with Muslims being the third most targeted group. A common theme throughout the vigil was the war against Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
“Like many of you, I’ve had the opportunity to listen to the family. Being on a stage here or on the footsteps of the courthouse, and every time I hear them my stomach tightens, a lump develops in my throat, and the tear ducts start to do their thing,” says London Lawyer Nawaz Tahir.
Speakers made several calls to action throughout the ceremony.
“So my challenge to you Premier Ford, my challenge to you Prime Minister Trudeau. Honor the family. And to all of you that are here today. Maybe you heard me speak at the vigil a few days after the terrorist attack. You heard me ask you to be ambassadors of love. I’m asking you for one more favor. As voters hold our elected officials accountable. Do not accept tweets of thoughts and prayers anymore. It’s time to honor the family. It’s time to ease the burden on them, and it’s time to hold our elected officials accountable in this fight against hate.”
