Ottawa vigil demanding justice for slain woman one of five in Canada

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A big crowd gathered exterior Ottawa Metropolis Corridor on Saturday to honour 23-year-old Hodan Hashi, to attract consideration to her violent demise in Saskatoon two weeks in the past and to demand justice in her identify.

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“Justice for Hodan” and “No justice, no peace,” individuals of all ages chanted on the occasion, one in all 5 vigils for Hashi deliberate throughout the nation on Saturday.

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The newly shaped Justice for Hodan Hashi stated that it was calling consideration to the demise of a Black Muslim girl in a “brutal and public killing” and that its heartbroken members felt “dissatisfied, outraged, and besieged” by the best way the case had been dealt with.

Neighborhood organizer Khadija El Hilali stated the coalition had been shaped by individuals throughout Canada and was conducting occasions in Ottawa, Toronto, Saskatoon, Regina and Edmonton.

“Once you see somebody that appears such as you, that shares the identical religion as you, once you see somebody that has an identical identify, as in case your cousin or your sister, you’ll be able to’t ignore it … It haunts you,” El Hilali, 24, stated as the group gathered.

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“We’re hoping to share that message that we are able to’t sleep, we are able to’t relaxation and we wish everybody else to affix us in our battle … Justice seems to be completely different for everyone, however, on this case, we’re asking for transparency and accountability within the course of.”

Hashi died in an altercation in a Saskatoon bar on Nov. 5.

Paige Theriault-Fisher, 22, was initially charged with second-degree homicide, however the cost was decreased to manslaughter after Saskatoon police reviewed proof, together with viral video recorded by membership patrons. Theriault-Fisher was launched from custody on bail on Nov. 10.

In a press release learn on the Ottawa rally on Saturday, Hashi’s dad and mom and siblings stated that, as they mourned a “vibrant younger girl who had her complete life forward of her,” they discovered some peace in individuals rallying behind “our battle for accountability, transparency and justice” from native officers, police and the justice system.

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The failure to guard Hashi, a scarcity of communication to her household on informing them of her demise, the downgrading of the legal cost and the discharge of the accused girl on $5,000 bail “additional victimized Hodan and our household,” they charged.

Born in Ottawa, Hashi was the sixth of 9 youngsters of fogeys who got here to Canada from Somalia in 1989. She was described by one sibling as a kind-hearted, social individual with an exquisite smile and lots of buddies.

In Canada, the household spent a few years in Saskatoon, the place Hashi attended highschool, earlier than returning to Ottawa, the place she graduated from Sir Robert Borden Excessive Faculty in Nepean.

Hashi returned to Saskatoon in 2021. She was working as a server at a restaurant and as a translator serving to Somali newcomers.

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Her purpose was to work in particular schooling to assist make a extra inclusive world for youngsters like one in all her youthful siblings, who has an exceptionality. She deliberate to start research in early childhood schooling at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, a Saskatoon school, in January.

Janaza, the Islamic funeral prayer service, was held Nov. 11 and drew almost 500 individuals, together with family and friends members from Ottawa, Saskatchewan and america.

A GoFundMe marketing campaign began by a member of the family to lift cash for funeral bills had raised greater than $55,000 U.S. as of Saturday. Hashi’s household stated any extra cash would go towards constructing wells and faculties in rural areas of Somalia.

At Saturday’s rally, Carleton College pupil Zeena Rashid stated that individuals in Ottawa’s tight-knit Somali neighborhood felt like household to at least one one other and stated “it’s one in all our daughters” once they realized of Hashi’s demise.

“That is any person that we are able to all relate to,” Rashid stated. “This might have been me.”

With information from Lynn Saxberg