2021-05-20
Statement on behalf of the Australian Greens Victoria
20 May 2021
On April 11, Councillor Anab Mohamud was violently assaulted in South Yarra. She sustained serious facial injuries, including eye damage and significant blood loss, that left her hospitalised for some days.
At the time of the incident, triple zero was called, but due to delays in an ambulance arriving and the seriousness of her injuries she was transported to hospital in a private vehicle.
Cr Mohamud has reported the assault to the police and has taken a leave of absence from her duties as Councillor while she recovers.
Our understanding is that the version of events reported in the media has been contradicted by subsequent police witness statements. These contradictory witness statements are yet to be resolved by police and we therefore remain uncertain about the reliability of what has been reported.
The Victorian Greens would like to emphasise that we do not condone violence or abuse in any form and condemn this vicious assault on a woman of colour.
The Victorian Greens want to assure all members of our diverse community, including people of colour and LGBTIQA+ people, that we are with you, and will always fight discrimination, bigotry and abuse in all its forms. The Victorian Greens oppose attempts by some to pit two marginalised communities against one another.
Our focus at this time is to ensure that Cr Mohamud is supported through her recovery from this horrific assault and through the ongoing investigation.
Effy Elden and Nyssa Sims - Australian Greens Victoria Co-Convenors