‘Ottawa’ Hundreds Attend Vigil for Abdirahman Abdi: ‘In Ottawa, We Always Stand Together’
It was a sombre scene at Somerset Square Park on Tuesday evening as about 500 people gathered to show their support for the family of Abdirahman Abdi, and to express their outrage at his death.
The vigil was held just steps from where the 37-year-old was killed in what Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit is calling a “confrontation” with police.
The incident Sunday morning has sparked outrage across the community, regardless of age, race, gender or creed — and that was pointed out several times Tuesday as speakers thanked the diverse array of supporters who attended the vigil.
People scrawled slogans in chalk on the street, and as the vigil grew in numbers, the throng spilled over to 55 Hilda Street, where a makeshift memorial now stands near the spot Abdi was killed.