Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright set the stage for the families of those impacted on Saturday June 13th. The families of Halima Jeneedi, Aziza Sheikh and Muna Sheikh who was the only one of the three to pass away from the tragic accident. This press conference was not setup to condemn the police department but to raise awareness onto what these families have been experiencing since this happened. Parrish-Wright went on to say that Muna was immediately buried as a part of the family’s religion.
Amina is the Founder and Executive Director of More than a Smile foundation. She went on to say that the story and the investigation feels as if it has gone silent. She stated that “If it was me and if it was you, our pictures would be posted, our names would be posted. So why is this any different?” Amina wants to encourage the community to continue to talk about this, to continue to address what happened and to not let Muna’s name die in vein. If the individual was sick, impaired but the family stated that accountability still needs to happen. It also needs to happen without them begging for answers the family said. Silence can’t be the only answer that they receive, Amina Shale went on to translate. She went on to translate for the family that they understand an investigation is underway but they still want a human connection as well, they want recognition, they want to hear from the city.
Muna’s mother, Nadifa Musse stated that she hadn’t heard from anyone from the Mayor’s office nor LMPD. This lack of communication left her with only doubt and questions such as, if my child was an American citizen and if I were an American citizen, would the outcome be different? Was this an injustice? She feels that so much should have been done before she went into her own investigation and asking questions herself. Many family members spoke up for Muna Sheikh sharing kind sentiments and memories whether it was about her bright smile, her glasses she always wore and the fact that she was always such a happy person.
"If it was me and if it was you, our pictures would be posted, our names would be posted. So why is this any different?"
There has been a GoFundMe arranged to help Muna's family through this difficult time. The family went on to demand that the face and name of the driver be posted online just as much as Muna's name and face has if not more.
