The Family Of The 2 Somali Women Who Were Attacked In Alberta Have Spoken Out
The family of two Somali women who were the victims of a violent attack in Alberta have spoken out. According to police, the assault was motivated by race.
What police are describing as a hate-motivated crime that played out in Edmonton on Tuesday, saw a hijab-wearing mother and daughter verbally and physically assaulted by a man.
On Friday, the family issued a statement regarding the attack.
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We ask that you please respect our family's need for privacy during this difficult time.
Family statement
The statement begins with the family expressing their gratitude for the "outpour of concerns, well wishes, and signs of solidarity" they have seen in the last couple of days.
"We ask that you please respect our family's need for privacy during this difficult time," the statement read. The family also said they want support in keeping the victims' identities anonymous.
Forty-one-year-old Richard Bradley Stevens has since been arrested for the attack and has been charged with two counts of assault and one count of mischief, according to CBC News.
"Islamophobia is only getting more and more violent here in Edmonton and it needs to be addressed as a public safety issue," Asmaa Ali, an RN from Alberta tweeted.
"This is a recurring problem and treating each situation as a one off issue that can be solved by one arrest is making the problem worse."
Ali also said that she knows many people who have a similar story of facing Islamophobia in public.