After a vigil and march on Sunday, it will be a somber day in London on Monday as the city pauses to mark the first anniversary of the murder of a Muslim family, allegedly targeted because of their religion.
It was on June 6, 2021, when the Afzaal family was run down by a pick-up truck that mounted the curb at Hyde Park and South Carriage roads before speeding away from the scene. Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna Afzaal and their then 9-year-old son, and Salman Afzaal’s 74-year-old mother Talat Afzaal had been out for an evening walk when they were hit. The young boy was the lone survivor.
The attack, which London police have said was a planned, premeditated act motivated by hate, shocked and saddened the city, province, and country as a whole. A vigil held in the days that followed drew thousands including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford.
As a way of honouring the family one year later, a vigil and march were held on Sunday.
A crowd estimated at more than 2,000 came to an event at Oakridge Secondary School to pay respects and support the cause of fighting against Islamophobia.
London lawyer Ali Chabhar called it a day of mixed emotions.
“On the one hand, this was an event to remember, to heal, to mourn, to gather and reflect on what took place in London a year ago. It’s part of the healing process that we’re coming together as a community, as a city to [do those things], but it also on the other hand was a catalyst for action, for change," he said.
The march was organized by the Youth Coalition Combatting Islamophobia, which Chabhar viewed as fundamentally important.
“I think it speaks to leadership,” he said. “It’s not just looking to political leaders, or elders in the community, I think the leadership is found with the youth, as well.”
The event heard speeches from student organizers, London Mayor Ed Holder, and civil rights leader Dr. Omar Suleiman.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also attended and spoke, making sure to take time to meet with some of the youth involved in the event.
Chabhar said that the youth voices were the most impactful of the day.
“Anybody that was there today, all it took was 30 seconds to hear our youth speak, to hear their voices, to hear their speeches, to hear their calls to action. That’s all that you need to know about the bright future that lies ahead for us.”
Following the speeches, the march took place, starting at the school and ending at the London Muslim Mosque.
More events are planned for Monday, the anniversary of the tragedy.
The London Muslim community will begin the difficult day with an Our London Family prayer service from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Islamic cemetery on White Oak Road.
Throughout the day students from both the Thames Valley District School Board and London District Catholic School Board will be completing the walk the Afzaal’s weren’t able to.
At 1 p.m., city officials will hold a formal dedication ceremony of the Our London Family Community Garden at Maple Grove Park at 1260 Coronation Drive.
The London Muslim Mosque will unveil the Our London Family Art Gallery at 4 p.m.
The final commemorative event of the day is a vigil organized by the Youth Coalition Combatting Islamophobia. It will be held at the intersection where the horrific attack took place at Hyde Park and South Carriage roads at 6:30 p.m.
The various events will have an impact on traffic in the area. South Carriage Road at Hyde Park will be closed as of 8 a.m. Only local residents will be able to access Prince of Wales at Gainsborough Road as of 3 p.m. As well, Hyde Park Road between Gainsborough Road and Sarnia Road will be closed in both directions starting at 4 p.m.
All schools within the Thames Valley School Board, where Yumna was a student, will lower their flags to half-staff for the day. School signs will also have a message of support for Our London Family posted. Students and staff are being encouraged to wear purple and green - purple being Yumna’s favourite colour and green representing a stance against Islamophobia.
Letters of remembrance and reflection can be written and submitted to an online National Letter of Remembrance campaign created by Toronto-based artist Asim Hussain. The letters, which include one submitted by London Mayor Ed Holder can be viewed anytime online at islamophobia.io/ourlondonfamily. The aim of the letters is one of shared healing, remembrance of the Afzaal family, and to take a stand against Islamophobia.
More information about planned events in honour of Our London Family can be found by clicking here.
The trial for the London man charged with with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder in the hit-and-run of the Afzaal family has been set for September 2023. It is expected to last 12 weeks and will be presided over by Superior Court Justice Renee Pomerance. Ahead of that, a change of venue hearing is scheduled for June 13 and 14. If successful, the change of venue would see the trial held in a jurisdiction outside of London.
**with files from Tamara Thornton