‘We will not let hate define us’: Vigil for victims of London killings draws 200 people

More than 200 Sudburians gathered on June 11 in Memorial Park to hold a vigil honouring the Afzaal family, killed in London, Ont. on June 6, and while the grey day held the threat of rain, the sun appearing just before the start of the memorial seemed to echo the messages of hope and tolerance expressed by many in attendance.

In what is being investigated as a hate-based crime, the Pakistani Muslim family was standing at an intersection waiting to cross the street last Sunday when a man rammed a pickup truck into them, killing all but the family’s young son.

A 20-year-old man, Nathaniel Veltman, has been charged with the first-degree murder of Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha, 44, daughter Yumna, 15, and his mother Talat, 74. He faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly trying to kill the family’s youngest child Fayez, nine, the only survivor of the attack.

The sadness, the anger and the disbelief was clear from those attending. One speaker also noted the event was the first public gathering since Step 1 of Ontario’s reopening plan, which should be a time of celebration, not of mourning.

“The first time we get together, and it is for this,” said Bela Ravi, president of the Sudbury Multicultural and Folk Arts Association. But she added that regardless of the reason, “We are stronger together and we will not let hate define us.”

The common feeling expressed by many in attendance, on signs and in speeches, was that even though religious intolerance persists, there is still hope.

The vigil was opened and closed by prayers and words from Abdul-Hak Dabliz, the imam at the Sudbury Mosque. Dabliz spoke of the Canadian spirit, and what thoughts and behaviours truly make that spirit. 

“We came here to build,” he said. “To work, to achieve. No one can say to us, ‘go home.’ We are home. It is these people who say ugly words to us who can go, it is they who do not belong with us.”

The crowd erupted into applause at this statement.

There was also applause as Mustafa Alzahran spoke of the media outlets who are choosing to use a photo of the perpetrator participating in the St. Clair River Run in 2016, shown wearing a track and field uniform. 

“Show the perpetrator in his mug shot,” said Alzahran with deep conviction. “He is not an athlete, he is a criminal.”

More applause came for a moment near the end of the memorial when eight-year-old Malik Hussain took to the stage to read the sign he’d made. It read, “Don’t harm humanity! The whole world is a place for everyone.” 

Mayor Brian Bigger, Gurpreet Singh of the Greater Sudbury Police Services’ Diversity Advisory Committee, Sudbury MPP Jamie West and Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré all spoke at the event.

As did Greater Sudbury Police Chief Paul Pederson, who detailed the many efforts he said GSPS has undertaken to ensure the safety of all Sudburians. He then spoke directly to those who are feeling the fear that an attack may occur in Sudbury.

“I know you are feeling fear, but we are your police. We are your police. We are collaborating, we are learning and growing, and we are working to combat hate, especially Islamophobia.”

During his address, Serré made a direct commitment on behalf of the federal government to change the online hate laws. 

“The laws now aren’t strong enough,” said Serré.

The Nickel Belt MP told Sudbury.com when it comes to tolerance for all cultures, religions and ethnicities, Canada has work to do.

“We have to look at Islamophobia,” he said. “When we look at what happened at the mosque (in Quebec 2017), you look at what's happening with Israel, Palestine and Jews in Canada, what's happening with our Indigenous children and murdered Indigenous women. We have a lot of work ahead of us. 

“But we have to find a way through this together. Provincially, federally, the community, and me and you have to make a difference.”