QUEEN’S PARK — London MPPs Terence Kernaghan (London North Centre), Peggy Sattler (London West), and Teresa Armstrong (London-Fanshawe) released the following statement in response to London Police Services’ revelation that a family was targeted and deliberately struck by a driver on Sunday in London, Ontario:
“We are horrified and heartbroken to learn of the vicious act of Islamophobic terror in London that targeted a Muslim family.
A small child should not be fighting for his health in hospital, facing a future scarred by this horrific pain and trauma. Three generations of a family should not be gone.
No one should have to fear that they will be a target of hate and violence because of their faith and ethnic background. No one should feel afraid to walk in their community because of the colour of their skin, or the articles of faith they wear. But that is the very real and familiar fear that many Muslim people face in London, and in other communities in Ontario.
London is a community filled with caring people who believe in fighting racism, welcoming new neighbours, and building a more inclusive community. In the strongest terms possible, we say that this heinous act of terror does not represent the loving London we have been building together.
It is long past time for Ontario to do its part in taking the very real threats of Islamophobia, white supremacist hate, and systemic racism in our province seriously – and act decisively to address them, including a fully-funded, province-wide Anti-Racism Strategy."