London residents to march in honour of Afzaal family five years after deaths

Saturday marks five years since four members of the Afzaal family were killed in a terrorist attack in London, while they were out for an evening walk.

It was ruled that the incident was hate motivated, and that the family was targeted due to their Muslim faith.

A march will be taking place in London Saturday, to honour the family. The march will actually complete the walk that the family was not able to finish.

One of the organizers is a relative of the victims. He says the day is a reminder that the fight against Islamophobia, and any kind of hate, needs to continue every day.

“We as a community need to say, this can never happen again,” said Esa Islam, an executive with the Youth Coalition Combating Islamophobia (YCCI), and a cousin of the Afzaal family.

Five years ago four of Islam’s family members were intentionally struck in a truck attack, while on an evening walk.

15-year-old Yumnah Afzaal, her parents 44-year-old Madiha Salman and 46-year-old Salman Afzaal, and grandmother 74-year-old Talat Afzaal, were all killed.

WATCH MORE: Judge rules attack on Afzaal family in London, Ont. as terrorism

A young boy who was seriously injured in the attack was the sole survivor.

Islam and the community will carry on his family member’s legacy Saturday.

“We as a community are going to be finishing the walk they couldn’t complete,” said Islam. “They were, via an action of hatred, prevented from making their way home — we’re going to be finishing that walk as a community and pushing their legacy forward.”

Islam began working with the YCCI after the attack.

He hopes Saturday’s march will send a message to Canadians that hate exists, and it needs to be combated.

“I can’t stress enough that for everyone to see we’re in this together,” said Islam. “Just because this happened to a Muslim family, doesn’t mean that this is not a problem. ‘I’m not Muslim, it doesn’t matter to me’ — no, because if this can happen to one group, it can happen to anyone.”

WATCH MORE: WATCH: A recap of the London truck attack and its tragic aftermath

This comes as Ontario NDP Leader Marit Stiles, joined by several Muslim organizations, announced anti-hate legislation Friday.

“We have to talk about islamophobia — we can’t be afraid to say the word — it is the job of everyone in Ontario to make sure our neighbours, no matter their faith or background, feel safe in our community,” said Stiles.

It comes after Muslim groups gathered Thursday to urge Ottawa to take action against islamophobia, arguing that not enough is being done to act on previously published reports.

For Islam, Saturday is about bringing awareness to hate, but personally, he will be remembering the family that was taken from him.

“Kind of reflecting on how important family relations and friendships have been these past five years and reflecting on faith, because that’s something I have had to rely on during these difficult times,” said Islam.

The march will begin at 6 p.m. at South Carriage Road, which will end at Oak Ridge Secondary School, completing the walk the Afzaal family could not.

WATCH MORE: Mural created in London, Ontario to honour the Afzaal family