Waterloo woman charged in an alleged hate-motivated incident at a Kitchener DriveTest centre

The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) have arrested a 27-year-old woman from Waterloo after what they are calling a “hate-motived incident” at a DriveTest centre around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Videos from the Ottawa Street North location have been circulating social media. The victim, member of the Coalition for Muslim Women Mifrah Abid, posted two different perspectives of the incident. There is one from her point of view, and another from a witness.

**VIEWER DISCRETION: Strong language is used in the following video**

I started recording when she began getting exceedingly aggressive & menacing against me…./2 pic.twitter.com/NouZYFCEaY

— Mifrah Abid (@mifrah_abid) May 17, 2023

In the thread, Abid explained how she was feeling after that moment.

“I was in a state of shock after being hit… quite literally… but also shocked that this could happen to me – a vocal, professional advocate against hate, racism and Islamophobia. This is literally what we do at the Coalition of Muslim Women – We help victims report hate and get supports.”

Regional Councillor Colleen James was also among the crowd showing support on Twitter in the replies.

“This is not okay. I am incredibly sorry this has happened and that you and those around suffered this harm. I can only hope that the person who put their hands on you is charged.”

The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Unit conducted the investigation with the General Investigations Unit, and as a result, the 27-year-old was charged with assault, assault with a weapon and theft under $5,000.

Police also say nobody was hurt, and the woman was held for a bail hearing.

Anyone with who witnessed this incident or has information is asked to call police, or contact crime stoppers here.

The Coalition of Muslim Women have already made the following statement:

The Coalition of Muslim Women (CMW) is hurt and shocked by the alleged hate-motivated crime Mifrah Abid, Together Against Islamophobia program coordinator, faced on Wednesday, May 17.

The entire organization stands with Mifrah as she takes action to report the alleged hate-motivated assault to the police. We are ready to support Mifrah with our counselling resources as well.

We call on the Waterloo Regional Police Service to take action immediately, to find the person that committed this ugly act and to hold them accountable for the pain they’ve brought on Mifrah.

As an organization that actively works to counter hate and Islamophobia in the community, we stand with anyone that faces hate. There is no place for such behaviour in any community. Hate doesn’t hurt just the person that experiences it, but it also shakes the entire community that already feels marginalized.

The organization held a press conference Thursday afternoon with the National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM). During the press conference, Abid said nothing prepares you for what happened to her.

“It really begs the question, why would anyone treat anyone like that?” she asked. “Just because of how they look or how they dress. Why is hate so easy? And why can’t we give each other a chance instead. This is why I’m here. To say it again, our society should have no place for hate. The color of your skin or the faith you follow should never be reason for someone to treat you as inferior.”

Abid acknowledged the prompt response of Waterloo Regional Police Service dealing with the situation.

“When the officers were coming to my home to get a statement, I expressed discomfort of having police cars and uniformed officers in my driveway. I didn’t want to scare away my kids. The WRPS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team sent an unmarked car with plain clothes policeman to my house and I appreciate this gesture. A victim should not have to worry about added fears when they are already in a vulnerable situation and I’m happy to know this option was made available to me,” said Abid.

Along with the  the Coalition of Muslim Women KW, the National Council of Canadian Muslims are calling on the federal and provincial government for more action to combat hate crimes, including Islamaphobia.

“We’re in a place, and a society where this can no longer be happening, and we can no longer let this racial slurs slide,” said Fatema Abdalla, the communications coordinator at NCCM.

Abid outlined some of the steps the government can take.

“Number one, make good on its commitment to establish a national support fund for survivors of hate and number two to develop new hate-crime legislation,” she said, “we call on the provincial government to number one, deliver an anti-racism strategy that requires social service agencies to provide regular training on anti-racism and anti-Islamophobia for front-line staff. Number two, to invest in public education about Islamophobia and all forms of hate.”

Abid said the only way to create change is to report hate if they experience or witness it.

“I can tell you first hand being assaulted changes something inside you. It hits you not just at the skin level but triggers something. Some deep fears and anxiety within. This is not something that anyone should have to experience but if you do, please report it or intervene in whatever way is safest to do so. But, please, please don’t be passive bystanders.”

Abid says it’s important to report hate. She says for systems to change, documentation is needed. The Coalition of Muslim Women has a helpline as well. @CityNewsKIT pic.twitter.com/erNNLpu8eD

— Jonathan Strom (@jonathan_strom) May 18, 2023

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