As video of a woman being assaulted in Moncton, N.B., circulates online, police say they’re investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. Codiac Regional RCMP responded to reports of a fight involving multiple people in a parking lot on Mountain Road around 7:30 p.m. Saturday. “Investigators have identified the individuals believed to have been involved and continue to gather information to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident,” said the RCMP in an update Thursday afternoon. Police refused to release any additional details about the incident, saying the investigation is ongoing. “The RCMP takes all reports of hate‑motivated incidents very seriously and our priority is to ensure that everyone feels safe and respected as hate has no place in our communities,” said Cpl. Luc Picard in a statement to CTV News. “Anyone who witnesses or is a victim of a hate crime is encouraged to contact their local RCMP detachment or police service.” Police say they’re aware of the video circulating on social media and they’re asking anyone who saw the incident, or who has additional information or video footage, to contact the Codiac Regional RCMP at 506-857-2400. Muslim groups call for thorough investigation The video of the incident appears to show one woman repeatedly hit another woman while a group of people watch. A man is seen shouting at the woman being assaulted. A small child is also seen in the video, next to the woman being struck. According to the National Council of Canadian Muslims, the woman is Muslim. The group says she was attending a parade of classic cars with her husband, father and seven-year-old son at the time of the incident. Steven Zhou, the council’s media and communications lead, says a woman in the crowd started berating the family when they sat down and wanted them to move. “It escalated to a point where the family said, this is too much, we’re going to leave,” said Zhou. When the woman’s husband and father went to put their items in their vehicle, Zhou says a group accosted the woman, shouted racist remarks, and told her to go back to her country. “The wife sustained serious injuries, including a concussion, significant bruising and swelling to her forehead, eyes, and nose, injuries to her right shoulder, a laceration to her nose, and broken eyeglasses,” Zhou told CTV News. “This is a Muslim family, and what we have are people who are telling them, basically, it’s a racial attack, telling them to get out of the country. For us, if there is a hate angle and there’s a Muslim identity involved, that’s Islamophobia.” The National Council of Canadian Muslims and Moncton Muslim Association are both calling for a thorough police investigation, including whether the attack was motivated by hate. “No person should ever be targeted because of their faith, ethnicity, or background, and no child should have to witness such a traumatic experience,” said the Moncton Muslim Association in a statement. “We stand in solidarity with the victim and her family, pray for her complete recovery, and reaffirm our commitment to working alongside community leaders, elected officials, law enforcement, and residents to build a community where every person can live in safety, dignity, and mutual respect.” On June 4, Moncton’s mosque was vandalized with the messages “Go Home Muslims” and “Go Home,” which were spray painted on the back of the downtown building. Zhou says the National Council of Canadian Muslims has been getting one or more reports of similar incidents across the country every day. “For as long as I have been around, that is a spike, if not the highest I have ever seen it,” Zhou told CTV News. “It’s not just Atlantic Canada, but unfortunately, it’s part of it, but it is a country-wide problem and we need a national strategy, a national anti-Islamophobia strategy to face up to this problem.” Ali Ettarnichi, president of the Moncton Muslim Association, said his community is saddened, shaken and scarred. “The woman is really traumatized and her son as well,” said Ettarnichi. “They didn’t expect this to happen. They were going to have some fun time with the family. She had her mother and father visiting here.” Ettarnichi said the family is taking some time to heal and process what happened and he’s asking for the public to give them privacy for now. There’s no audio in the video, but Ettarnichi said ‘go home’ is being repeatedly said. He’s hoping the police investigate to the fullest and strongly condemns what happened. “This is something that we can’t tolerate,” said Ettarnichi. “We would like some action.” “We want this to be taken seriously. Not just for Muslims, but for any human being,” said Ettarnichi. “Doesn’t matter if they are Muslim, Jew or Christian, we want to be treated as human.” Ettarnichi said Muslims in Moncton are not over what happened at a mosque in the city on June 4 and the incident at the Costco in Nova Scotia. He’s asking anyone with video with sound or more information to reach out to the police. Officials condemn attack New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt, as well as the top government officials for the Moncton area, have all released statements condemning the attack. “I am deeply disturbed by the violent and hateful attack against a Muslim woman in Moncton,” said Holt in a Facebook post. “To the mother, her family, and New Brunswick’s Muslim community: we stand with you. My heart is with you, and I wish you a full and speedy recovery.” Holt says no one should be targeted for their faith, and every New Brunswick resident deserves to feel safe in the province. “There is no place for Islamophobia or any form of hate in New Brunswick. Acts like this do not reflect who we are in New Brunswick,” continued Holt. “We welcome people with open hearts and open minds, and we share this province with everyone who chooses to call it home. New Brunswick is strongest when we look out for one another.” Like Holt, the councillor for Moncton Ward 4 says she too was “deeply disturbed” by the video. “There is no place for this in our community. These actions are hateful, unacceptable, and do not reflect who we are,” said Kate Doyle in a statement. “This incident is extreme, but Islamophobia doesn’t begin with physical violence. It grows through the jokes we let slide, the stereotypes we repeat, the comments we don’t challenge, and the moments when we choose silence instead of speaking up.” Doyle is urging Canadians to call out hate when they see it “even if it’s uncomfortable.” Ginette Petitpas Taylor, the MP for Moncton-Dieppe, says she was “sickened” and “outraged” after learning about the incident. “Hate motivated crimes are on the rise in Canada and we must not be silent. Our silence emboldens those who seek to divide us,” said the MP in a statement. “We are better than this and our actions as a community in Moncton and across Canada must reflect that.” A day after releasing her statement, Petitpas Taylor told CTV News the National Council of Canadian Muslims flagged the video to her to make sure she was aware of it. “I did see the video and I have to say, I was outraged, I was disappointed, and Monctonians, New Brunswickers are better than that,” said the MP. “It’s the minority of people. This is not the majority of people within our community. Most Canadians, most New Brunswickers embrace our new Canadians in this area and we want to ensure that we denounce this type of behaviour.” Petitpas Taylor says she will be reaching out to community leaders, faith leaders, and other members of the local multicultural community to hear their concerns and engage in discussions. Moncton East MLA Alexandre Cedric Doucet says he was “deeply troubled” by the video. “This is not the Moncton I have known, nor the Moncton we strive to be,” he said. “Our community is strongest when every person is treated with dignity, respect, and humanity, regardless of their background.” Moncton Mayor Shawn Crossman says city administration has been in contact with the RCMP and also reached out to the Moncton Muslim Association to hear their concerns. “We recognize that incidents of violence can have a profound impact, particularly when they raise concerns about the safety and well-being of members of our community,” said Crossman in a statement. “We acknowledge the concern expressed by residents and community organizations, especially members of our Muslim community, who may be experiencing heightened fear and uncertainty as the circumstances surrounding this incident continue to be investigated.” Crossman said the city will continue to monitor the situation and remain in regular contact with community partners. With files from CTV News Atlantic’s Derek Haggett For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
