Investigators with the London Police Service’s hate crime unit have arrested a London man in relation to an alleged hate-motivated assault that happened Saturday in the city’s downtown at Ivey Park.
The suspect allegedly made derogatory comments toward a Muslim man who was with his family, police said. He then proceeded to assault the man, and remained in the area for around 20 minutes before leaving the park on an e-bike.
On Friday, police charged a 61-year-old with one count of assault as a result of the investigation.
The incident has been condemned on social media by the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM), London Mayor Josh Morgan and most recently by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who called the attack “abhorrent and unacceptable” on X, formerly Twitter.
My heart goes out to the Muslim community in London who have faced repeated acts of hate and violence. The attack this week against a Muslim family in a park is abhorrent and unacceptable.<br><br>Islamophobia is deadly, and we need to name it and condemn it—loudly—wherever we see it.
—@JustinTrudeau
The victim in Saturday’s incident sustained minor injuries and did not require medical attention, according to police.
The accused remains in custody, police said, and is set to appear in court in relation to the charge.
