London attack: Passer-by defends herself against 'those who cannot look beyond attire'

The woman who became the centre of an online debate after she was photographed wearing a hijab and using her mobile phone during the London terrorist attack has given her side of the story.

The picture was widely circulated on social media, with many Twitter users commenting she was casually ignoring a victim lying on the ground.

Speaking to Tell MAMA — an organisation that purports to support victims of anti-Muslim hate — the woman has spoken in her defence.

She said she was "shocked and totally dismayed" at how her picture had been circulating on social media.

"To those individuals who have interpreted and commented on what my thoughts were in that horrific and distressful moment, I would like to say not only have I been devastated by witnessing the aftermath of a shocking and numbing terror attack, I've also had to deal with the shock of finding my picture plastered all over social media by those who could not look beyond my attire, who draw conclusions based on hate and xenophobia," she said.
The woman, whose identity has been withheld for her protection, said her thoughts at that moment were one of sadness, fear and concern.

"What the image does not show is that I had talked to other witnesses to try and find out what was happening, to see if I could be of any help, even though enough people were at the scene tending to the victims," she said.

"I then decided to call my family to say that I was fine and was making my way home from work, assisting a lady along the way by helping her get to Waterloo Station.

"My thoughts go out to all the victims and their families."

She also thanked Jamie Lorriman, the photographer who took the picture, for defending her in the days following the attack.

Speaking to the ABC, Mr Lorriman said the idea that she was ignoring the scene as she was walking past was wrong.

"It's wrong it's been misappropriated in that way," he said.

"To assume she was ignoring someone is impossible to know; the look on the woman's face, she's horrified, she's in the middle of a traumatic situation.

"I feel so sorry for the woman in the picture.

"If she's seen this, she must feel awful."

Tell MAMA are working towards having the woman's image removed from Twitter, saying there should be no place for hatred on social media.

"[She is] an innocent bystander who was targeted online for no other reason than her Muslim identity," they said.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-03-25/woman-walking-past-london-attack-victim-defends-herself/8386522


how terrible would you feel to have to go through the aftermath of the attack, and then to have to go home and find your photo, with thousands of vole comments plastered all over the internet just because Islamaphobes can't help themselves.

Stupid squealer sucking sympathisers.

simpering idiot.

I bet you were one of the dickheads who commented on that photo too!

Silly Smith squawking stupidly.

John Smith wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 1:33pm:

simpering idiot.

Stupid Smith sucking stools.

John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum -

how many do we have here?

It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists.

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 1:44pm:

John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists.

Robert:

- Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation?

- What are you hiding?

- Can I post those PMs you sent me?

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 1:45pm:

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me?

Now - Greggy wants to fabricate fake PMs.

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 1:45pm:

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me?

Simpering squawker shrieking strangely.

Jennifer wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 1:48pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:45pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me? Simpering squawker shrieking strangely.

Juliar is that you?  ;)

Redmond Neck wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 1:51pm:

Jennifer wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:48pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:45pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me? Simpering squawker shrieking strangely. Juliar is that you?  ;)

Silly sausage so soundly stupid.

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 1:47pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:45pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me? Now - Greggy wants to fabricate fake PMs.

No, not at all.

I just want to post those ones you sent me before.

Can I do that, please?

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 1:54pm:

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:47pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:45pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me? Now - Greggy wants to fabricate fake PMs. No, not at all. I just want to post those ones you sent me before. Can I do that, please?

Sausage sucker squealing send.

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 1:54pm:

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:47pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:45pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me? Now - Greggy wants to fabricate fake PMs. No, not at all. I just want to post those ones you sent me before. Can I do that, please?

I would never send a PM to a closet homosexual.

Can't you do any better than to threaten to make up fake PMs?

Is that all you've got?

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 2:01pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:54pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:47pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:45pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me? Now - Greggy wants to fabricate fake PMs. No, not at all. I just want to post those ones you sent me before. Can I do that, please? I would never send a PM to a closet homosexual. Can't you do any better than to threaten to make up fake PMs? Is that all you've got?

Sausage sucker slanders.

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 2:01pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:54pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:47pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:45pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me? Now - Greggy wants to fabricate fake PMs. No, not at all. I just want to post those ones you sent me before. Can I do that, please? I would never send a PM to a closet homosexual. Can't you do any better than to threaten to make up fake PMs? Is that all you've got?

I never said you did.

Now, can I post those PMs you sent me please?

Redmond Neck wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 1:51pm:

Jennifer wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:48pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:45pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me? Simpering squawker shrieking strangely. Juliar is that you?  ;)

can't be Juliar, he hasn't quoted pages and pages of comments from other websites

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 2:04pm:

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 2:01pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:54pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:47pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:45pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me? Now - Greggy wants to fabricate fake PMs. No, not at all. I just want to post those ones you sent me before. Can I do that, please? I would never send a PM to a closet homosexual. Can't you do any better than to threaten to make up fake PMs? Is that all you've got? I never said you did. Now, can I post those PMs you sent me please?

Supposedly straight squealer sends slander.

John Smith wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 2:06pm:

Redmond Neck wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:51pm: Jennifer wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:48pm: greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:45pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. Robert: - Why do you believe the word of a terrorist organisation? - What are you hiding? - Can I post those PMs you sent me? Simpering squawker shrieking strangely. Juliar is that you?  ;) can't be Juliar, he hasn't quoted pages and pages of comments from other websites

Simple Smith still scratching.

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 1:44pm:

John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists.

what terrorist have I apologised for booby?

Did your boyfriend do you so hard that you can't think clearly? Or is it more that you've never been able to think clearly?

John Smith wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 2:09pm:

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. what terrorist have I apologised for booby? Did your boyfriend do you so hard that you can't think clearly? Or is it more that you've never been able to think clearly?

Smith seeking sausage.

Jennifer wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 2:14pm:

John Smith wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 2:09pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. what terrorist have I apologised for booby? Did your boyfriend do you so hard that you can't think clearly? Or is it more that you've never been able to think clearly? Smith seeking sausage.

What Smithy doesn't realise is that ISIS throws homos like him off buildings.

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 5:12pm:

Jennifer wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 2:14pm: John Smith wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 2:09pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. what terrorist have I apologised for booby? Did your boyfriend do you so hard that you can't think clearly? Or is it more that you've never been able to think clearly? Smith seeking sausage. What Smithy doesn't realise is that ISIS throws homos like him off buildings.

I can post the PMs you sent me then?

greggerypeccary wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 5:12pm:

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 5:12pm: Jennifer wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 2:14pm: John Smith wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 2:09pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. what terrorist have I apologised for booby? Did your boyfriend do you so hard that you can't think clearly? Or is it more that you've never been able to think clearly? Smith seeking sausage. What Smithy doesn't realise is that ISIS throws homos like him off buildings. I can post the PMs you sent me then?

Slanderous sausage sucker seeks sufferance.

Bobby. wrote on Mar 25^th, 2017 at 5:12pm:

Jennifer wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 2:14pm: John Smith wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 2:09pm: Bobby. wrote on Mar 25th, 2017 at 1:44pm: John Smith - another terrorist apologist on this forum - how many do we have here? It's a whole nest of enemy sympathisers & apologists. what terrorist have I apologised for booby? Did your boyfriend do you so hard that you can't think clearly? Or is it more that you've never been able to think clearly? Smith seeking sausage. What Smithy doesn't realise is that ISIS throws homos like him off buildings.

you should consider yourself lucky that you don't live in the M.E then.


Unless you learn to fly