2025-04-22
Huong Truong, Greens candidate for Fraser, today joined over a hundred community members in Footscray calling for an end of over-policing in the area and investment in social services, following the death of local man, Abdifatah Ahmed, 35, at the hands of police.
Mr Ahmed was shot fatally on April 17 near the corner of Paisley and Albert streets in front of witnesses, seemingly without prior use of non-lethal de-escalation methods.
Truong has criticised Victoria Police’s Special Operation in the electorate, Strong show of Force in Footscray, which targeted the diverse community in the week leading up to Abdifatah’s death.
She has called for increased funding for preventative services, including mental health and drug and alcohol rehabilitation services, public housing and income support.
Truong and community groups have also raised concerns about the effectiveness and ethical of police investigating police following the fatal shooting. They have called for an independent investigation by IBAC and briefing to the Victorian Coroner.
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens candidate for Fraser, Huong Truong:
“This young man was part of our community. Footscray residents and traders knew him and still speak of him fondly”.
“This tragedy could have been avoided. We need a different approach towards people who are struggling on our streets. I join the community in calling for more affordable housing, mental health and rehabilitation services rather than heavy-handed police responses.”
“Mr Ahmed was known to be sleeping rough. We need more public housing so that people like Ahmed are not pushed onto the streets. Still, Labor is knocking down public housing in the middle of a housing crisis, including the public housing tower on Gordon St.
“We cannot trust the police to keep us safe when they are clearly not equipped to deal with the issues at hand, increasing homelessness, poverty and untreated health issues. The Police do not make us feel any safer. Especially for those of us who are racially profiled.
“A member of our community died, and understandably, our community is hurting.
“We want housing for all, free mental healthcare and a comprehensive approach to rehabilitating those in our community struggling with addiction, rather than criminalising people in poverty, without the means to access the services they need.
“When we checked in February this year, there was not a single drug and alcohol rehabilitation bed available in Victoria. Everyday I hear from people who say they feel more and more unsafe, from St Albans to Seddon. Communities want to see an evidence-based approach to community safety , not the dangerous ‘tough on crime’ approach that clearly doesn’t work. It never has.
“Right now, the major parties are falling short of addressing the root causes of anti-social behaviour. Complex issues, like the ones confronting us in Footscray, need to be community-led and comprehensive.”