Devine ‘Heartbroken’ By Racist Incidents

Following the recent horrific stabbing incident at the Loblaws in College Square, it soon became clear that this disturbing attack was likely a hate-motivated crime (….extensive history of antisemitic social media posts from the arrested suspect).

I was also saddened to learn the victim – a 71-year-old woman described as “a cherished member of the Jewish community” – is a resident of Knoxdale-Merivale ward.

While I don’t yet know the identity of the victim, I’ve reached out to the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, as well as to the synagogue that the woman attends, to ask if I can be of any support. I can’t imagine how angry and hurt the Jewish community must be.

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This newsletter excerpt from Knoxdale-Merivale Councillor Sean Devine is courtesy of the city-wide community group Your Applewood Acres (And Beyond) Neighbours

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In reading some of the attacker’s social media posts, it was heartbreaking to see someone unabashedly rationalize their way to such extreme views. I’m heartbroken to see this happen in Ottawa.

And this horrific incident wasn’t even the only hate crime in Ottawa recently. At the Stittsville Muslim Association, members discovered someone had spray-painted the N-word on the wall of one of their buildings, leaving the Muslim community reeling from such racism brought to their doorstep. And earlier this month, a young Muslim woman was the victim of a hate-motivated assault on an OC Transpo bus.

Addressing these recent events, Mayor Sutcliffe said: “This isn’t Ottawa.” Of course, I understand the sentiment and intention of that statement. It’s something we frequently hear from leaders when these horrors happen in our own backyard, when they claim that “this isn’t us.”

But sadly, it is. At least, it’s part of us. When two such horrific examples of violent, vile racism happen within days of each other, can we point to other places and claim to be fundamentally better? We cannot suggest that extreme acts like these came out of nowhere and ignore the many lesser crimes, to suggest that racism is simply not a part of our social fabric. Clearly, it is.

Perhaps that’s why I’m not just angry and disturbed by these horrific acts, but heartbroken. I don’t know what to offer other than my support, sorrow, and perhaps even shame, and ask others to join me in recognizing that we can all play a role in spreading tolerance, love, and mutual respect across our wounded city.

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