We express our sadness and horror over the brutal attack on a Muslim family in Canada last weekend. The family, on foot and waiting to cross the street in London, Ontario, was deliberately hit by a vehicle.  Four members of the family, ranging in age from 15 to 74, were killed and a 9-year-old boy has been hospitalized in serious condition. It is clear to Canadian authorities that this was a hate crime because the family was targeted for their religion.

According to Canadian authorities, hate crimes against Muslims rose by 10 percent in 2018, the most recent year for which statistics are available, and the Canadian Security and Intelligence Service reported that the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated xenophobia.

Living in a democracy should mean that all are safe when they venture outside their homes. Harassing, threatening, or attacking people for their religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or beliefs is deplorable.

We applaud London Mayor Ed Holder, Ontario Premiere Doug Ford, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for condemning this act of violence and hope they continue to take steps to ensure an attack like this does not occur again.

The mission of the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is to teach the history of the Holocaust and advance human rights to combat prejudice, hatred, and indifference.  To learn more about the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum and its mission, please visit dhhrm.org.

-Mary Pat Higgins, Museum President and CEO

-Mark Zilbermann, Board Chair