Press Release
June 7, 2021. Calgary, AB

Hate-motivated fatal car-attack on Muslim Family in London, Ontario

On June 6, 2021, in London Ontario, a Muslim family of five were targeted in a fatal hit-and-run while out for a walk. The attack left a 74-year-old women dead on the scene. A 46-year-old man, 44-year-old women and a 15-year-old girl were rushed to the hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to their injuries. A nine-year-old male, the only living member of the deceased family, was also taken to the hospital and is currently being treated for serious, but non-life-threating injuries.

The police believe that this was a planned, premeditated act motivated by hate and that the victims were targeted solely because of their Islamic faith. The 20-year-old male suspect and driver of a black pick-up truck, Nathaniel Veltman, was arrested a short distance away from the scene and is now in custody. The suspect has been charged with four counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and faces possible terrorism charges.

The Canadian Muslim Research Think Tank (CMRT) is deeply saddened to hear about this horrifying terrorist attack on Canadian soil. “Harper and Trump’s polarizing political rhetoric has promoted prejudice, racism and bigotry. Federal Bills S7 and C75; Provincial Bills 62 and 21 in Quebec have increased racism and discrimination by providing futile grounds to white nationalism, Neo-Nazis, and white supremacists. The government needs to take stronger action to address racism, violence and hate” said Dr. Mukarram Zaidi, Chairman of CMRT.

We call for the suspect to be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, including terrorism chargers. Hatred and discrimination in all their forms have no place in Canada. We must continue our collective responsibility to demand justice and combat discrimination and hate to build a safe and inclusive Canada for all.

Anti-Muslim hatred has escalated to epidemic proportions. Hate crimes targeting Canadian Muslims increased 151% in 2017. The data released by Statistics Canada on November 18, 2018, indicated a significant increase in hate crimes against most racial, religious and other minority groups. Four years later, Canadians are still reeling from the terrorist attack in Quebec that claimed six lives and injured 19 others when Alexandre Bissonnette opened fire on worshipers in a Quebec City Mosque on January 29, 2017. Terror attacks by Muslims receive 357% more press. Terrorist attacks committed by non-Muslims (or where the religion was unknown) received an average of 15 headlines, while those committed by Muslim extremists received 105 headlines, research by the University of Alabama has stated. (The findings are based on all terrorist attacks in the US between 2006 and 2015).

For further information and comments please contact:
Dr. Mukarram Zaidi,
Canadian Muslim Research Think Tank,
587 890 8321,
chairman@thinkforactions.com

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