HUNDREDS of people are attending a vigil in memory of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman tonight, more than a year after they were murdered. The sisters were killed by Danyal Hussein, 19, in Fryent Country Park, North West London, in a satanic sacrifice while they were celebrating Bibaa’s birthday. Reclaim the Streets are working with […]
HUNDREDS of people are attending a vigil in memory of Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman tonight, more than a year after they were murdered.
The sisters were killed by Danyal Hussein, 19, in Fryent Country Park, North West London, in a satanic sacrifice while they were celebrating Bibaa’s birthday.
Reclaim the Streets are working with the sisters’ mum Mina Smallman to remember their lives a year on from the horrific events.
Speaking after Hussein was found guilty of her daughters’ deaths, Mina said: “No one expects their children to die before them but to have two of your three children murdered overnight is just incomprehensible.”
Over a year on from the tragic death of the sisters, a vigil is being held to remember their lives surrounded by the people they loved.
It will take place tonight, August 3, at 7pm, at Barn Hill Pond, Fryent County Park, on what would have been Nicole’s 29th birthday.
The sisters’ families are encouraging people to wear green and purple, their favourite colours, or light a candle.
Those attending the vigil will have the opportunity to “light a candle for all the women threatened on our streets and lost to male violence”.
Anyone who can’t attend is encouraged to light their own candle and share on social media to show their support.
Speaking to The Sun, Co-founder of Reclaim the Streets Anna Birley said: “We are looking to change the way that women are viewed, but especially black women, who often receive less coverage or less, less support from the police and other institutions.
“We wanted to make sure that we ask ourselves why, and remember all the victims of male violence and take collective action to tackle it.
“I think a few other vigils are happening tonight around the country at the same time. Certainly Hackney and Walthamstow in London are having a minute’s silence at the same time as us and others.
“We’re asking people to light a candle and then take that minute reflecting on male violence and remembering the lives of women who have been victims of it.
“It is Mina moment and the rest of the family to have that support, to cope with the grief and loss of their daughters, and to stand up and say they want to change the world, that’s incredible.
“She wants to celebrate the life of her daughters, and also shine a light on what has happened. She believes that her daughters would be proud of everything she has done since their deaths.”
Hussein was found guilty last month of killing the two sisters, with their mother Mina saying that he “cannot have a heart”.
More details about the vigil can be found here.
Women’s Aid has this advice for victims and their families:
If you are a victim of domestic abuse, SupportLine is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm on 01708 765200. The charity’s email support service is open weekdays and weekends during the crisis – messageinfo@supportline.org.uk.
Women’s Aid provides a live chat service – available every day from 10am-6pm.
You can also call the freephone 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
