Community leaders urge action

A violent assault against two women wearing hijabs outside Southgate Centre mall last week is not an isolated incident in the city, say a coalition of community groups.

Jibril Ibrahim, president of the Somali Canadian Cultural Centre of Edmonton, is part of a group of 11 organizations who support Edmonton's Black, Muslim and African communities that penned a letter in reaction to the assault. He said the victims sustained severe injuries that required hospital care.

Ibrahim said the statement was released after the community met virtually.

“It was hate related to race and religion, but also gender,” said Ibrahim.

“A lot of women came forward in our meeting and they said this is not just an isolated event. Not at the same level, but they have seen a number of harassment, a number of hate-related incidents.”

A mother and her daughter who are Black and wear hijabs were in their vehicle outside the mall on Tuesday when a man approached them shouting racially-motivated obscenities.

The man punched the passenger-side door, breaking the window.

The woman sitting in the passenger-side seat attempted to run away before she was taken to the ground and assaulted, police say.

The other woman tried to help but was also thrown to the ground.

Several witnesses intervened to stop the attack before police arrived on the scene.

Richard Bradley Stevens, 41, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and one count of mischief.

Ibrahim said a second man was involved in the attack and needs to be arrested.

He is calling on the Edmonton Police Service to release photos of both suspects.

EPS spokeswoman Patrycja Mokrzan said police spoke to the group that penned the letter. She said she could not provide further details because the assault is still under investigation.

She did not confirm if a second suspect is involved.

Following the attack, Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson said his thoughts are with the racialized community and that city council is united in fighting against racism.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney called the attack “disgusting and heinous” and said he is thankful EPS was able to make an arrest.

Ibrahim said politicians need to do more to condemn hate in the city and they have to address the public directly.

“The mode for communication in this kind of situation should be coming out to the TV and talking to people,” said Ibrahim.

“To be on Twitter is a little upsetting because the community is asking us questions: ` We haven't the see the mayor. We haven't seen the premier. How come nobody's talking about this?' Because they're not on Twitter, we have to remember that.”

He also said support needs to be given to the two women who were assaulted.

Ibrahim said the community, like the rest of Alberta, is dealing with the stresses of COVID-19.

On top of that, he said they are now fearful to leave their homes.

“A lot of them have lost their jobs, some of them are worried about losing some of their houses,” said Ibrahim.

“But on top of that, now they have to worry when they get out of the house whether they're going to come back safely or not.”

Now they have to worry when they get out of the house whether they're going to come back safely or not.