More than a month after two young Muslim women were targeted on the University LRT Station platform in an alleged hate crime, a group went to that station and handed out flowers to women wearing hijabs.
On Wednesday morning, a group of Edmontonians was at the LRT station, and handed out carnations to women who were wearing hijabs.
Nearly a month before, on Tuesday, November 8 at about 8:20 p.m., a man in his 60s approached two young women who were wearing hijabs.
Police said the man pulled a length of rope from his pocket, tied it in a noose, and told the women: “This is for you”.
He then sang O Canada in front of them.
Janelle Venne, the organizer of Wednesday’s event said she hoped the simple gesture sends a powerful message.
“I want to take back the message of ‘This is for you’ and put a positive spin on it, and that Canada is really stronger when we are diverse,” Venne said. “Hijabi women are welcome here and deserve to feel safe just like every other Canadian.”
A woman who received a flower called the initiative ‘amazing’.
“There is so much hate going around especially in the last couple months with the flyers, and it’s amazing to know there are people here that want you to feel wanted,” Yasmeen Abdallah said.
Carnations will be handed out until 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Police said Tuesday a suspect was in custody regarding this incident.
