Thousands take part in multi-faith march
Thousands took part in a march to end hatred Friday evening in London.
It was in response to a deadly attack on a Muslim family last weekend, that left the commmunity in shock and mourning.
“Please no hating,” said an emotional march participant Leila Masserendine. “You are in Canada. Love each other. All you are Canadian. Love each other. Forget about hating.”
The march followed what police called a deliberate attack when a pickup truck mounted a curb and struck a Muslim family. Three generations of that family were killed. They have been identified as Salman Afzaal, 46, his 74-year-old mother Talat Afzaal, 44-year-old wife Madiha Salman, and their 15-year-old daughter Yumna Salman. A son, nine year old Fayez Salman, survived with serious injuries.
“The sense of compassion and show of solidarity and love and support have been extraordinary,” said Muslim faith leader Imam Abdul Fattah Twakkal. “It helps us to heal and this is the path that we want to take moving forward.”
Among the speakers at the starting line was John Davidson, known for walking across Canada with his late son Jesse to raise money for Duchenne Muscular Distrophy. He told the crowd that one act does not define a city. “The steps you take tonight send a clear message across the country and around the world that this is a loving, caring, and united community.”
Marchers walked south from the scene of the collision on Hyde Park Road at South Carriage Road to Oxford Street, then east to the London Muslim Mosque.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Still so much love between us,' Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Pro-plastic lobbyist presence at UN talks is 'troubling,' say advocates
Environmentalist groups are sounding the alarm about a steep increase in the number of pro-plastic lobbyists at the UN pollution talks taking place this week.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.