Milton Comes Together to Mourn London Muslim Family

By: Laura Steiner

Hundreds of Milton residents came out to Victoria Park in to mourn for the Afzaal family, and show their support for the local Muslim community in a vigil at Victoria Park Saturday afternoon.  Four members of the family were killed in a truck attack as they went out for a walk Sunday evening in London Ontario. London police are calling a hate crime based on the victims’ faith.

Milton MP Adam van Koeverden was among the speakers.  van Koeverden is the Parliamentary Secretary for Diversity, Inclusion and Youth Minister Bardish Chagger.  “I pushed my minister Bardish Chagger for anti-hate legislation, as legislation that would control the dark places on the web that foster, create, and radicalize people to these hateful places.  I’m happy to say that we’ve committed to that legislation,” he told the crowd.  MP’s voted unanimously to call on the government for an emergency national action summit on Islamophobia.

Another speaker read a statement from the extended family.  “We are grieving, and we are heartbroken.  But we are not afraid, and we don’t want any of you to be afraid.  The Afzaal family stood firm in their religious and cultural values, and will continue to do just that,” There was cardboard card that will be presented to the family for attendees to write greetings, and condolences.

The accused made a brief court appearance via video uplink from the Elgin-Middlesex Detention centre on June 7, 2021, when he asked to apply for legal aid.  He stands accused of four counts of first degree murder, and one count of attempted murder.  Nine-year old Fayez Afzaal remains in hospital recovering from  his injuries.  A GoFundMe campaign for the family is now up to $897.735.