2 Muslim women attacked in 'hate-motivated' assaults in Edmonton, police say

Two Muslim women wearing head coverings were assaulted Wednesday in what Edmonton police are describing as hate-motivated crimes.

The Hate Crimes and Violent Extremism Unitis investigating the assaults, which are the latest in a series of high-profile, daytimeattacksagainstEdmonton womenwearing religiousheadscarves.

The assaults took place an hour apart in the university andStrathcona areasof south Edmonton.

The first attack took place around 12:10 p.m. at the University Transit Centre, police said.

A 19-year-old woman wearing a hijab was waiting inside the building when she was approached by a manmaking"racial comments," police said in a news release Friday.

"The suspect allegedly became more aggressive towards the female, posturing as though he was about to assault her," police said.

A citytransit worker intervened and the suspect left,police said. Investigators are working with campus security and reviewing surveillance video, police said.

Death threat in the street

The second assault happened around 1:15 p.m.in the area of 100th Street and 82nd Avenue.

A 27-year-old Muslim woman wearing a burka was walking aloneon the sidewalk when a man ran across the road and stood before the woman, blocking her path.

The man allegedly began swearing and yelling insults at the victim before once again crossing the street.

The woman continued walking east and had crossed99th Street when he returned, police said.

He pushed her to the groundwhile making threats to kill her and tear off her burka, which is a veil worn by some Muslim women that generally covers the entire body.

Police said the suspect then left the area.

The assaults are being investigated as unrelated crimes. However,theyare part of a concerning trend,police said.Three women were recently attacked atSouthgate Centre, a mall at 51st Avenue and 111th Street in south Edmonton.

'No place in our city'

A statement from Mayor Don Ivesoncondemned the recent attacks, noting that "this behaviour has no place in our city" and urging witnesses to share any information with police.

"To the victims, I'm so sorry you experienced this traumatic event. Islamophobia and misogyny have no place in Edmonton. You deserve to feel safe and welcome in your community," Iveson said.

"These disturbing instances are a stark reminder to all Edmontonians, especially the privileged among us who hold a disproportionate amount of power in our city, to do our part to be anti-racist and anti-hate."

These attacks, like the ones that occurred in December at Southgate Mall, happened in public areas during daytime hours, police said.

"[It]shows an extremely alarming trend threatening the safety of the Muslim community," Sgt. Gary Willits,anofficer with the Hate Crimes and Violent Extremism Unit, said in a statement.

"We recognize the impact and trauma of these attacks are significant to the victims, their loved onesand the broader community. We will be working closely with community leaders to seek solutions."

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FaisalSuri, chief development officer with the National Council of Canadian Muslims,is also concerned by the rise in attacks.

"We definitely seek the support of our police authorities, Edmonton police services, authorities across Canada or Alberta for that matter," Suri said.

"To ensure the fact that all these incidents are investigated properly and through and through, and to ensure the fact that the safety of community members is of utmost importance."

Suri has been in contact with the two women since the attacks. He said that the women have been emotionally and physically traumatized is an understatement.

On Dec.15, a 23-year-old Black womanhad just entered the southeast doors of the Southgate LRT station around10:45 a.m. when she was accosted by a stranger.

The accused repeatedlytried to strike the victimin thehead with a shopping bag while yelling racially motivated obscenities at her.

Rene Ladouceur, 32, was charged with assault with a weapon and nine outstanding warrants for unrelated charges.

On Dec.8,two Somali women wearing hijabswere sitting in their vehicle in the mall's parking lot when a manbegan yelling racially motivated obscenities at them.

Witnesses told police the man then punched the passenger-side window, shattering the glass. Fearing for her safety, the passenger ran from the vehicle and the man chased her, police said, then pushed her to the ground and began assaulting her.

The second woman tried to help and was also shoved to the groundbefore several bystanders intervened and stopped the attack.

Following an investigation by the Hate Crimes and Violent Extremism Unit, Richard Bradley Stevens, 41, was charged with two counts of assault and one count of mischief.