'That's not who we are': community gathers to denounce racism after Abram-Village attack

About 65 people gathered Wednesday at cole vangline in Abram-Village, P.E.I., for a public meeting to show support for victims of a violent attack on the weekend.

The meeting was organized by the French Daycare Association of P.E.I., where one of the two victims, both immigrants from Algeria, worked as an educator.

"It's very, very sad. But it was very encouraging to hear everybody talk here, to see the familiar faces come together," said community member Angie Arsenault.

The local French immigrants' group, the Cooprative d'Intgration Francophone, has denounced the attack as an act of racist violence.

RCMP say five people were involved in"an altercation" after a dance held as part of the four-day Agricultural Exhibition and Acadian Festival. Two men were sent to hospital and released with non-life-threatening injuries.

People at the meeting, many parents of children at the local daycare centre, wrote messages of support on heart-shaped Acadian flags. Those noteswill be hung on the walls of the daycare.

One note read in French, "We appreciate you."On another was written, "The vangline region welcomes you with open arms."

"Tonight was just to share, to talk, to maybe grieve a little," said Patrick Buswell, vice-president of the association.

He said some members of the board were worried there would be arguments at the meeting. Everyone who attended had to sign a waiver to say they would be respectful.

"People were here because they wanted to be here, they wanted to listen, or they wanted to be part of the solution to send a clear message that that kind of behaviour is unacceptable."

During the meeting, the association said that its employee who was a victim of the attack no longer feels safe in the vangline region and is moving out of the area.

Isabelle Dasylva-Gill, the executive director of SAFLE, the main voice for the Acadian and francophone community of P.E.I., said that news is not surprising.

"You have to understand that, you know, people are coming here for safety the first reflex is to kind of get away from the danger zone," she said.

Dasylva-Gill, who also came to P.E.I. as an immigrant in 2007, said the meeting was an opportunity to call out the attack.

"It's reassuring in a sense and very heartwarming to see that people gathered to make known that we don't agree with that and as a community we can do better."

Parent Mathieu Gallant has two children at the daycare centre. He said both his kids loved the educator who was one of the victims.

"He was by far our kids' favourite employee We don't know how to explain that. Because when the daycare opens again, their favourite individual isn't going to be there anymore," said Gallant.

"It's something that we're going to discuss at home between the adults and see how we're going to explain to them so that they understand."

Buswell said in talking with parents this week, one emotion stood out.

"I think a lot of people felt shame. Shame was a big part of what I heard and I wanted to use tonight as an opportunity to feel pride instead. Pride at, that's not what we are and that does not reflect us," he said.

"I think we were able to accomplish that tonight, and I think everybody left with a smile, even though I saw some tears during the session today."

Police still looking for witnesses

Police have not charged anyone in the attack.

The East Prince RCMP are asking anyone who knows anything about what happened to contact either Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or RCMP in Summerside at 902-436-9300.

Buswell said he hopes witnesses will come forward.

"Maybe they're scared of maybe sharing information, knowing that those assailants may get back to them," he said.

"I'm hoping that those witnesses decide to stand up to intimidation, to bullying, to violence it's so important for the healing process, but also to identify the people who were part of those appalling actions."

Community meeting a 'first step'

Dasylva-Gill said it's important that the police communicate with the community.

"The community needs to know what's happened with that and if there are going to be any consequences, just to show that it's not pushed on a desk or anything like that," she said.

Buswell called the community meeting a "first step" and said future action could include other community gatherings and more support for newcomers.

The French daycare centre in Abram-Village will reopen Monday morning.