Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The skanner. (Portland, Or.) 1975-2014 | View Entire Issue (June 21, 2017)
Page 8 The Skanner June 21, 2017 News Van Attack on London Muslims Suggests New Polarization By Danica Kirka, Paisley Dodds and Gregory Katz Associated Press LONDON — The rash of dead- ly terror attacks that has rat- tled Britain in recent months took an ominous new turn on Monday as Muslim worship- pers became targets during the holy month of Ramadan, mowed down by an attack- er who plowed a van into a crowd leaving prayers at two mosques in north London. It was the same tactic Islamic extremists used in recent as- saults on Westminster Bridge and London Bridge. Those attacks and a third outside “ in the Muslim community fol- lowing the attack shortly af- ter midnight that injured at least nine people in London’s Finsbury Park neighborhood, which is home to a large Mus- lim population. Authorities said the incident was being treated as a terror attack. One man died at the scene, although he was receiving first aid at the time and it wasn’t clear if he died as a result of the attack or from something else. British media identified the suspect as Darren Osborne, a 47-year-old Briton and father of four living in Cardiff, Wales, who was not known to authori- ‘Like all terrorism, in whatever form, it shares the same fundamen- tal goal. It seeks to drive us apart — and to break the precious bonds of solidarity and citizenship that we share in this country’ a pop concert in Manches- ter have triggered a surge in hate crimes against Muslims around Britain. British authorities, includ- ing Prime Minister There- sa May, and Islamic leaders moved swiftly to ease concerns ties before the attack. Details about the assailant were sketchy, but the assault — the most dramatic against Muslims in London in recent years — suggested a new, dan- gerous level of polarization in British society. “This was an attack on Mus- lims near their place of wor- ship,” May said in a televised address. “And like all terrorism, in whatever form, it shares the same fundamental goal. It seeks to drive us apart — and to break the precious bonds of solidarity and citizenship that we share in this country. We will not let this happen.” Mayor Sadiq Khan, London’s first Muslim mayor, also urged residents to stand together. “While this appears to be an attack on a particular commu- nity, like the terrible attacks in Manchester, Westminster and London Bridge, it is also an assault on all our shared val- ues of tolerance, freedom and respect,” Khan said, adding that there would be “zero toler- ance” for hate crimes. “We will not allow these ter- rorists to succeed. ... We will stay a strong city,” the mayor said. May said police would assess security at mosques and pro- vide any additional resources needed ahead of upcoming cel- ebrations marking the end of Ramadan. The Metropolitan Police Service, already stretched by investigations of the earlier attacks and a high-rise apart- Information is powerful. The power is in your hands. NEWS www.TheSkanner.com TheSkannerNews @TheSkannerNews STEFAN ROUSSEAU/POOL PHOTO VIA AP Attacker plowed into crowd of Muslims leaving prayer services Britain’s Prime Minister Theresa May, right, talk to faith leaders at Finsbury Park Mosque in north London, after an incident where where a van struck pedestrians, in London, Monday June 19, 2017. British authorities and Islamic leaders moved swiftly to ease concerns in the Muslim community after a man plowed his vehicle into a crowd of worshippers outside a north London mosque early Monday, injuring at least nine people. ment fire that killed at least 79 people, said it was putting extra patrols on the streets to protect the public. The attack occurred about 12:20 a.m. when a speeding white van swerved into wor- shippers emerging from prayers outside the Muslim Welfare House and nearby Finsbury Park Mosque. People surrounded the driv- er and witnesses said the out- raged crowd began attacking him. A local imam, Mohammed Mahmoud, said he and others shielded the man until police could take him away. “By God’s grace, we were able to protect him from harm,” the imam said. Police said the driver was arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of terrorism, in- cluding murder and attempted murder. Toufik Kacimi, chief execu- See LONDON on page 11
