Mayor Ed Holder’s Statement on Hyde Park Tragedy

Ed Holder:

I speak on behalf of all Londoners when I say our hearts are broken. We grieve for the family, three generations of whom are now deceased. We weep for their loved ones. We pray for the recovery of the 9-year-old boy who remains in hospital. I have ordered flags outside London City Hall lowered for three days of mourning.

I would like to thank members of the London Police Service, London Fire Department, and Middlesex-London EMS for their compassion and professionalism in responding to this traumatic event. You make us proud on a daily basis, and in our darkest hours.

Deputy Mayor Josh Morgan and I met earlier today with leaders in London’s Muslim community to express our profound sadness. Speaking directly to our broader and beloved Muslim community, I want each of you to know that ours is a safe community. You should feel safe in London, Ontario. This is as much your home as it is mine. And while your hearts are heavy, I want you to feel secure while enjoying our community.

Let me be clear: This was an act of mass murder, perpetrated against Muslims -- against Londoners -- and rooted in unspeakable hatred. The magnitude of such hatred can make one question who we are as a city, and who we are as Londoners. It’s up to us – all of us – to answer that question, through not only our words, but our actions. We can say “this isn’t who we are,” and I know that to be true. Words, though, are not enough. We must demonstrate, behave, and act on those words. This act of unspeakable hatred, this act of Islamaphobia, must be followed by acts of compassion, acts of kindness, acts of empathy, acts of solidarity – justice – and, above all else, love.

The love we hold for our Muslim brothers and sisters in London is unwavering and unconditional. All Londoners benefit from your kindness, and your goodwill. We are not merely a city, we are a community. We are family. And as such, we wrap our arms around you. Together we will grieve, and together our hearts will mend.